For the week ending May 2, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. The heifer discount to steers continues to narrow. Steady buying interest from Ontario was noted in Manitoba and certain locations in Saskatchewan.
Klassen: Feeder market consolidates as supplies decrease
First Manitoba crop report says seeding slightly ahead of pace
Soil moisture conditions very from region to region
Spring planting in Manitoba registered at three per cent complete in the provincial agriculture department’s first crop report of 2025. Manitoba Agriculture released the report on April 29, noting planting progress was two points ahead of the five-year average.
Prairie forecast: Here comes the summery weather
Forecast issued April 30, covering April 30 to May 7, 2025
Well, one week is up and as I pointed out in last week's forecast, the weather pattern still looks like it is going to flip from a cool-ish spring regime right into a summer-like pattern. This flip should happen over the next few days.
Pulse Weekly: Seeding of Manitoba pulses getting started
Specialist expects similar acres to last year
In Manitoba, the planting of pulse crops was barely underway during the week of April 28, said Dennis Lange, industry development pulse specialist for the province's agriculture department.
Klassen: Higher packer bids enhance feeder complex
For the week ending April 26, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier.
Canadian farmers’ view of the federal government differs by province — but not by much
Part 3 | Canadian farmers reveal concerns ahead of federal election
Farmers from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec answer the question "do you feel represented by the federal government?"
Prairie forecast: Warm weather gaining ground
Forecast issued April 23, covering April 23 to 30, 2025
We start this forecast period with an area of low pressure exiting the eastern Prairie and taking the rain and wet snow with it. To the west, a weak frontal system looks ready to drop into northern Alberta where it should bring scattered showers.
Klassen: Fall fed cattle supply concerns strengthen feeder complex
For the week ending April 19, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2 to $3 above week-ago levels. Many auction barns did not have sales due to Good Friday but sale volumes were also smaller at active locations.
Prairie forecast: Temperature rollercoaster to continue
Forecast issued April 16, covering April 16 to 23, 2025
Spring is the toughest time to forecast, but this spring is being particularly tough. The atmosphere is in a very meridional flow right now. That means there are lots of troughs and ridges. So, instead of a persistent westerly flow across our region we are seeing warm southerly flows as ridges build, followed by cool northerly flows as the ridges collapse and are replaced by troughs of low pressure.
Klassen: Feeder market returns to historical highs
For the week ending April 12, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded stead to as much as $10 higher compared to seven days earlier. The market has fully recovered from U.S. tariff uncertainty. Strength in the fed cattle market and healthy feeding margins continue drive replacement prices upward.
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