Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling markets dropped $2 to $4 while calf prices sank $2 to as much as $6 on average. Rising feed grain prices set a negative tone. Adverse weather also contributed to lower bids, especially in the lighter weight categories. Most auction barns had feature calf sales this past week. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market continues on downward trend
Where are we in the cattle cycle?
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
I’ve received many calls from cow-calf producers inquiring about the U.S. and cattle cycle. The recent droughts in the U.S. and Western Canada have resulted in a year-over-year increase in the cow slaughter. Many producers in Canada and the U.S. have liquidated a portion of their herds due to limited feed supply. At the same […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market grinds lower
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets were down $2-$5 while calves dropped by $3 to as much as $8. We’re now seeing some medium-quality calves weighing around 550 lbs. sell under the psychological $200 level in central Alberta. The market is lacking demand. Feedlot inventories are running 33 per cent above the five-year […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market reflects softer sentiment
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 lower; calves over 700 lbs. appeared to hold value; calves weighing less than 700 lbs. were down $3 to as much as $5. The yearling run is basically finished. Ontario buying interest was supportive in the eastern Prairie regions due to the bumper corn crop; […] Read more
Klassen: Demand for feeder cattle eases
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $3-$5; calves traded $2-$6 below week-ago levels. The market has come under pressure for three main reasons. Cattle on feed inventories in Alberta and Saskatchewan are 36 per cent above the five-year average. Many feedlots are comfortable with ownership levels. The drought caused about 150,000 […] Read more
Canadian dollar forecast
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
During March 2020, the Canadian dollar dipped to a four-year low, near 68 U.S. cents, at the onset of the COVID recession. Central banks across the world responded with an aggressive monetary policy to stimulate the economy. The U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada dropped their interest rate to historical lows. The two […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market continues consolidation
U.S. corn northbound into Prairies
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calf markets were down $2-$3 on average. Feedlot inventories in Alberta and Saskatchewan are 30 per cent above the five-year average; therefore, demand is lacking moving into the main marketing period for calves. Finishing feedlots have sufficient ownership and being fairly finicky on […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market holds value
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged; calf prices held value, but there were pockets like Lethbridge where values were $2-$4 higher. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis in the range of $156-$158. If an Alberta feedlot booked its feed grains in April […] Read more
Klassen: Finishing feedlot demand drives yearlings higher
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded $2 lower to as much as $5 higher. Strength was once again noted in southern Alberta where heavier yearlings recorded a fresh 52-week high. Calves were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Larger groups of quality weaned genetics traded as much $5 above average values. Feather-lite bawlers under […] Read more
Klassen: Lower beef production supports cash feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; calf prices traded $2 on either side of week-ago levels. December and February live cattle futures have dropped $8-$10 off the highs while feed grain values have remained firm. Buyers were on the defensive this past week, given the softer outlook for fed cattle […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
