Compared to last week, yearlings and heavier calves traded $6 to as much as $10 lower. Colder temperatures, along with lacklustre feedlot demand, set a negative tone early in the week. The downward spiral caused the market to be quite variable across the Prairies. It was not uncommon to see 800- to 850-lb. steers trade […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market continues to soften
Klassen: Feeder cattle market falters
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. Alberta feeder cattle prices appeared to move in line with major U.S. markets, which were also down $3-$5 from week-ago levels; however, minimal slippage was noted in eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Weakness in deferred live and feeder cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Winter weather weighs on feeder complex
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. However, quality features played a larger role in the price structure. Buyers shied away on fleshier yearlings which is often the case when margins move into negative territory. It’s that time of year when thicker coats can be somewhat misleading and buyers pulled […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market rally stalls
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Eastern Prairie markets were softer but continue to maintain a $5 to as much as $8 premium over major feeding regions of Alberta. We’ve seen a sharp year-over-year increase in imports from the U.S., which is causing a variable price structure to develop across […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market maintains upward trend
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable this past week. Strength was noted in the eastern Prairie regions where markets traded $5 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels; however, Alberta steer prices were relatively unchanged but heifers traded $5 to $8 higher. Available feeder supplies will tighten as we approach the end […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market surges
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced a precipitous bounce over the past week. Compared to seven days earlier, yearling traded $4-$6 higher; calf markets were trading $3 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels; prices for feather-light bawlers surged with 300- to 400-pounders touching the magical $300 level in some areas. Optimal weather enhanced […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market maintains upward momentum
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $8 higher. Strong gains in the live and feeder cattle futures, along with the softer Canadian dollar, set a positive tone for all weight categories. Central and southern Alberta feedlot operators were quite aggressive on local cattle, which caused major […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market experiences renewed optimism
Compared to last week, yearlings traded $3-$5 higher while calf prices were $5 to as much as $10 higher in some cases. Southern Alberta yearling prices were unchanged this week after trading at premium to western Canadian markets earlier in September. The U.S. Department of Agriculture came out on Tuesday and lowered its beef production […] Read more
Klassen: Strong Canadian dollar weighs on feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $3-$6 on average while calf values dropped $5 to as much as $10 in some cases. Most auction barns held feature yearling sales last week; there were small groups of calves available but the market was quite variable and hard to define in the lighter […] Read more
Klassen: Lethbridge demand drives up yearling market
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5-$8 above week-ago levels. The first major yearling sales occurred in southern Alberta, which appeared to kick-start the buying momentum. Alberta fed cattle prices and wholesale beef values were under pressure; however, feedlot operators were extremely tenacious. Buyers capriciously worked orders throughout the week and by the Friday, quality […] Read more
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