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

Klassen: Steady demand underpins feeder cattle complex

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

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

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

Klassen: Feeder market ratchets higher
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices markets traded $2-$5 higher on average. Calves were quite variable. This was the first week when larger groups of calves were featured on the internet sales. Prices on the internet appeared to be significantly stronger than smaller groups under 10 head moving through auction rings. Feedlot operators […] Read more

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

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

Klassen: Stronger fed market supports feeder complex
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 higher on average. Heavier calves over 700 lbs. continued to climb, notching gains of $2-$4. Calves weighing 500-700 lbs. were $4 to as much as $7 higher. This past week, there was a light test of calves under 500 lbs.. Prices were near historical highs […] Read more

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

Klassen: Hot demand sustains yearling market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged. Heavier calves over 700 lbs. were quoted $2-$4 higher on average. Calves under 700 lbs. were quite variable. There were limited numbers on offer in the lighter weight categories and the market remains in price discovery mode. Larger strings of […] Read more