For the week ending February 7, Western Canadian feeder markets traded $10 higher to $10 lower compared to seven days earlier. The cash market was extremely volatile as the sell-off in the feeder cattle futures on Thursday, February 5, installed cautious tone amongst buyers late in the week. Fleshier cattle in smaller packages were discounted […] Read more
Klassen: Calf markets continue to climb
Klassen: Feeder Cattle Market Waits For Direction
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: Western Canadian calf prices ratchet higher
For the week ending January 24, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10/cwt lower to $10/cwt higher compared to seven days earlier. The market was quite variable depending on flesh conditions and genetic quality. Prices for backgrounded yearlings or fall placed calves were steady to $5 higher on larger packages on controlled weight gain diets; […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market near historical highs
For the week ending January 17, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5/cwt lower to $10/cwt higher compared to the week ending January 10. The market was quite variable across the Prairies with weather conditions influencing the price structure. Overall, there was very strong demand with Ontario and Southern Alberta feedlots aggressively working to secure […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market starts 2026 with stronger tone
For the week ending January 10, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were up $8-$10/cwt on average compared to three weeks earlier. Strength was noted in backgrounded pre-conditioned replacements weighing 700 pounds plus. Quality genetic packages with full processing were up $20/cwt in some cases. The weather was quite variable and feedlots have experienced above normal […] Read more
Inflation could be a major problem
Central banks are expected to hold their rates over the next two to four months — and history tells us this means a high risk of inflation
Analyst Jerry Klassen breaks down the factors that could lead to greater inflation on the horizon
Klassen: Feeder market poised to strengthen
There were no feeder cattle sales in Western Canada for the week ending January 3. However, there were some sales in the U.S. and the Canadian markets will follow suit once activity returns to normal. For example, at the Ozarks Regional Stockyards in West Plains, Missouri, weaned and vaccinated steers and heifers over 750 pounds […] Read more
Klassen: Feedlot margins will determine feeder prices
There were no Western Canadian feeder cattle sales for week ending December 27. The shortened holiday week is always a time for cattle producers to call in and discuss factors that will influence the feeder market over the next couple months. In the short-term, finishing feedlot margins are the main factor driving the feeder market. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market closes year on soft tone
For the week ending December 20, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were steady to $10 weaker compared to seven days earlier. For the second week in a row, the price range was quite wide for similar weight cattle. Larger operations were focused on pre-conditioned vaccinated cattle given the adverse weather conditions. The quality of cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market sees wide price range
For the week ending December 13, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10 higher to $10 lower compared to seven days earlier. Overall volumes were lower compared to previous weeks which contributed to the wide price range across the Prairies. Adverse weather and variable quality were also factors influencing the price structure. Major operations more […] Read more
