For the week ending January 31, Western Canadian feeder markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Adverse weather in southern Alberta may have tempered buying interest for lighter weight calves. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $508-$510 per hundredweight delivered, steady to $2/cwt higher than last […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder Cattle Market Waits For Direction
Klassen: Feeder market rations demand
Risk discount built in with adverse weather
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calf prices were steady to $6 lower. Demand from Ontario buyers caused markets in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan to hold value. Alberta prices were under pressure as the market appears to be rationing demand. Calf prices are 25-30 per cent higher than year-ago […] Read more
Klassen: Higher feed grain prices continue to pressure feeders
Compared to mid-December, western Canadian yearlings traded $3-$5 lower; mid-weight calves are down $4-$6 while calves under 550 lbs. remained firm. Buyers exhibited a defensive tone on heavier yearlings and discounts were more severe on fleshier cattle last week. There is absolutely no risk appetite for 850-plus-lb. cattle at this time of year. Demand for […] Read more
4-H online auctions to help charities and food banks
Reading Time: < 1 minute Albertans are invited to support local charities, and uplift 4-H members as they complete their livestock projects in new online ways. From now through June 30, there will be 77 sales where 4-H members will be showcasing and offering steers, lambs, hogs and/or goats for purchase. There are 24 charity projects — 22 steers and two […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market experiences softer demand
Compared to the previous week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $4-$6 lower on average; calves were down $5 to as much as $10 in some cases. U.S. feeder cattle markets were also down $5-$8 from seven days earlier. The extended period of negative feeding margins appears to be taking a toll on the feeder market. […] Read more
Klassen: Winter conditions weigh on feeder market
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. The major feeding regions from Alberta to the U.S. Midwest and southern Plains have all experienced severe storms and extreme temperatures. The forecast for southern Alberta calls for lows of -25 to -32 C over the next seven days. Auction markets have a few […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market starts year with cautious tone
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged to slightly softer compared to mid-December. The market was lightly tested, with direct off farm to feedlot trade, but auction market activity was rather quiet. Winter conditions in southern Alberta caused buyers to be on the defensive, with lighter calves reflecting small discounts; however, vaccinated feeders on […] Read more
It’s not the patter, but the passion, for auctioneering ‘rock star’
Reading Time: 4 minutes He’s a natural. People are drawn to passions they seem to have an inborn inclination towards. With a little drive and determination, they can take an ability that comes easily and turn it into something special. Fellow auctioneers talk about Ryan Konynenbelt that way. The talented talker uses his skills on a daily basis at […] Read more
Klassen: Small volumes characterize feeder cattle market
It’s that time of year when the feeder cattle market experiences a calm before the storm. The fall run will get underway over the next three weeks and recent market activity appears to be quite positive. Last week, yearlings and calves traded $3 on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. However, larger […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger beef demand underpins feeder market
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 to $4 higher on average while calves were relatively unchanged. It appears that yearling supplies could be down 2 per cent to 4 per cent this fall which has feedlots being more aggressive early in the season. Major markets in Alberta led the charge higher […] Read more
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