I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers regarding the price outlook for feed barley. At the time of writing, Lethbridge feed barley was trading in the range of $405-$415/tonne while Red Deer operations were showing bids from $395-$405/tonne. Barley prices are up nearly $200/tonne from September 2020. Yearling prices continue to trade near 52-week highs […] Read more
Feed barley price outlook
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
Klassen: Optimistic fed cattle outlook supports feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 higher. Strong demand was noted on yearlings, which spilt over into the lighter weight categories. Major feedlot operators in Alberta set the price structure, with aggressive orders flowing across the Prairies. Some operators have been holding back on purchases due to higher prices; however, […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger live cattle futures lift yearling market
Recent rains rejuvenate Prairie pastures
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were quoted $3 to as much as $6 higher; calf markets once again traded $3-$5 on either side of unchanged depending on the region. Unbridled buying interest was noted on larger groups of high-quality yearlings. Despite the grass conditions this summer, cattle characteristics are rated above average […] Read more
Klassen: Higher input costs limit upside for feeder cattle market
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were quite variable trading $5 higher to as much as $6 lower. Calf prices have been consolidating over the past couple weeks and once again traded $3 to $4 on either side of unchanged. Strong demand was evident for 800-pound-plus yearlings fresh off grass. Feedlots in the […] Read more
Klassen: Strong demand underpins yearling market
Western Canada will be seeking U.S. corn
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged to as much as $4 higher in some cases; calf markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged as prices were quite variable across the Prairies. Major feedlot operators were extremely aggressive for yearlings. Larger groups of one-cut cattle were very well bid. April live […] Read more
Understanding the price structure for feeder cattle
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers across Western Canada regarding the price outlook for feeder cattle. Ranchers are asking: When would be the best time to sell their calves? Backgrounding operators are questioning the best time to purchase calves. At the time of writing this article in mid-July, yearling prices were making fresh 52-week […] Read more
Klassen: Yearlings hold value while calves remain under pressure
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves were once again $2 to $4 lower. Featherlight bawlers were down $4 to as much as $8 from week-ago levels. The tight feed grain supply situation continues to set the price structure for feeder cattle. Yearlings straight off grass held a slight […] Read more
Klassen: Drought conditions spur on fall cattle run
Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder yearling prices were relatively unchanged; calves traded $2 to $5 lower. The fall run has started. Drought like conditions have caused many ranchers to sell cattle 30 to 45 days earlier than normal. Steers averaging 900 pounds were readily trading in the range from $185 to $190; steers […] Read more
Klassen: Feed barley rally pressures feeder cattle market
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling steers traded $4 to $8 lower while heifers were down $2 to $4. Calves traded $5 to as much as $10 below week-ago levels. Feed barley in the Lethbridge area traded in the range of $390/tonne to as high as $415/tonne, up $25-$30/tonne from seven days earlier. Crop […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market stays firm
Compared to last week, western Canadian prices for yearlings weighing 800 lbs. and over were unchanged; however, calves and yearlings in the 600- to 800-lb. category traded steady to $3 higher. The calf market was hard to define due to small groups of various quality. Strength in deferred live cattle futures along with the weaker […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
