Photo: Canada Beef

Klassen: Steady demand underpins feeder cattle complex

Compared to last week, Alberta yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged; however, 800-pound-plus cattle in Manitoba and Saskatchewan appeared to trade $4-$6 higher. Yearling prices across the Prairies are now relatively even with no freight discounts from major southern Alberta markets. Calf markets are becoming more defined with larger volumes on offer. […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Weaker Canadian dollar supports feeder market

Weather optimal for bringing in fresh replacements

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded steady to $2 higher on average while calves traded $2 higher to $4 lower. The calf market was hard to define due to limited numbers while larger supplies of yearlings were on offer in Manitoba this past week. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed […] Read more


CME April 2023 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

Klassen: April live cattle futures pull nearby cash feeder market higher

More feedlots switching back to barley

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $3 higher on average. Quality yearling packages of larger volume traded $2-$3 above week-ago levels. The calf market is becoming more defined. Larger calf volumes were on offer in Saskatchewan and Manitoba but smaller numbers were noted in Alberta. Therefore, we can’t accurately compare […] Read more

After a string of tough years, optimism has returned thanks to stronger prices and falling feed costs, says Gem-area rancher Daniel Doerksen.

A NEW DAWN: Cattle producers get some relief with higher prices

Fall run looks promising for beleaguered cow-calf producers

Reading Time: 5 minutes Daniel Doerksen is one of many in the cattle sector who are feeling more positive as prices pick up. “To see cattle prices finally increasing is a reason to be optimistic and want to be in the cattle business,” said Doerksen, who runs a commercial cow-calf and feedstock operation along with a feedlot near Gem. […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder markets digest StatCan data

Barley crop expected up 34 per cent on year

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 higher. Yearling prices have strengthened by $8-$10 over the past four weeks. Calf values were relatively unchanged but the market was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying on a dressed basis from $300 to $302 delivered, up $1-$2 […] Read more


Photo: ARS/USDA

U.S. livestock: Hog futures fall as soy prices rally

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures fell on Tuesday, with strength in the soymeal market raising the prospects of increased feeding costs. Feeder cattle contracts were also weaker due to strong corn prices while live cattle edged higher on light technical buying. CME October lean hogs LHV2 fell 1.075 cents to 92.9 cents per […] Read more



A new study to be available in early 2023 aims to look at the disparity between the price producers get for their cattle and what consumers pay for the price of beef.

Cheaper cattle but pricier beef

An industry-sponsored study will look at methods to determine more transparency across the sector

Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s a big question that no one can answer. Why is there such a big difference between what consumers pay for beef and what producers receive for their animals? Alberta Beef Producers general manager Brad Dubeau knows it is a major issue. “We need to do some background work,” he said. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry […] Read more