(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market faces many headwinds

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Feedlot operators and order buyers were contending with a number of variables which resulted in a defensive tone. First, the Canadian dollar rallied late in the week, derailing any buying interest from south of the border. U.S. feeder cattle markets were also trading […] Read more




(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market continues lower trend

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5 to $8 below week-ago levels; noticeable declines were noted in the lighter weight categories, which were down $6 to as much as $10. Adverse weather continues to plague the feedlot regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Another snowfall over the weekend caused pen conditions to erode to lowest levels […] Read more


There aren’t any big clouds on the horizon for the cattle sector in 2018, 
but don’t expect a repeat of last year, says Canfax’s Brian Perillat.

Cattle prices are expected to be good this year — but not 2017 good

There will be more beef on the market but a robust economy should keep demand strong

Reading Time: 3 minutes Cattle producers hit it out of the park in 2017 — but this year is going to be a completely different ball game. “Last year, we saw some pretty big home runs, and I don’t really anticipate that for this year,” said Brian Perillat, manager and senior analyst at Canfax. “Small wins might be all […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices gaining momentum

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $4 higher while calves and grass cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Once again, there was a wide range of prices across the Prairies as feedlots adjust to higher feed grain prices. Secondly, buyers were quick to discount fleshier cattle; backgrounded calves fed too much […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market grinds lower

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $4-$6 lower; however, yearlings and heavier calves experienced a week-over-week decline of $4 to as much as $8 with significant weakness noted in the eastern Prairie regions. Finishing feedlots continue to sit on their hands. Order buyers were active on a scale-down basis and surprised […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Fed cattle market leads feeders higher

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $280-$282 delivered on a dressed basis, which equates to $168-$171 on a live basis. Yearlings bought last summer are bringing back $150-$180 margin, which has reinforced buying enthusiasm. Western Canadian yearlings traded $3 to as much as $8 above week-ago levels; calves were relatively unchanged […] Read more