Statistics Canada released their July 1 semi-annual cattle inventory report on August 20. Statistics Canada does a good job of breaking down the number of cattle as per the type of farm, which provides a good indication of feeder cattle outside feedlots. Their data also provides an estimate of the number of calves under one […] Read more
A closer look at western Canadian cattle inventories
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
Klassen: Stronger barley prices weigh on feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 lower; calves weighing 500 to 650 lbs. traded $2-$4 lower while lighter weights under 500 lbs. were steady to $5 higher. There is a distinct price structure for each weight category, depending on the time frame for the finished animal. The overall feeder […] Read more
Klassen: Quality features influence feeder cattle prices
Western Canadian yearling markets have traded in a sideways range over the past couple of weeks; major feedlot operators have been aggressive for 800-pound-plus feeders just off grass because these cattle are most efficient and therefore, most profitable. Grass yearlings were quoted steady to as much as $5 higher this past week. Backgrounded yearlings were […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling market holding value
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves traded $3 higher to $3 lower on average. The yearling run is well underway and there was no shortage of buying interest. Finishing feedlots were very aggressive on quality packages coming fresh off grass. Once again, buyers focused on local cattle, causing […] Read more
The similarities between 2009 and 2020
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
The U.S. and Canadian economies suffered the worst year-over-year contraction in GDP in history during the second quarter of 2020. U.S. GDP contracted at 32.9 per cent on an annual basis during the second quarter; the official Canadian data at the time of writing this article was not yet released but analysts expect the drop […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling markets mixed
Compared to last week, yearling prices for western Canadian were down $2-$5 on average with the exception of southern Alberta where prices were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots in the Lethbridge area focused on local cattle which contributed to the firmer tone. Outside of Feedlot Alley, weakness in the deferred live cattle futures had buyers on […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling market remains red hot
Barley harvest well underway in southern Alberta
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average; however, in southern Alberta, yearlings traded $6-$8 above week-ago levels. A few auction barns in Alberta held their first feature sales of the fall run and buyers showed up with both hands. The quality of yearlings coming off grass is excellent and […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices on fire
Canada's cattle herd remains in contraction stage
Compared to last week, yearlings coming off grass traded $3-$5 higher; backgrounded yearlings were $1-$3 higher on average while calf markets were relatively unchanged. February and April live cattle futures closed marginally lower for the week; however, fed cattle basis levels from U.S. packers are very strong for winter and spring. This appears to be […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling demand remains firm
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings fresh off grass traded steady to $2 higher; backgrounded yearlings were relatively unchanged. The calf market was too thin to quote. Major feedlot operators set the price structure and were once again very aggressive. While many feedlots are backed up with market-ready supplies of fed cattle, some feedlots […] Read more
Feed grains outlook remains bearish
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
It’s that time of year when I receive many inquiries regarding the feed grain outlook for the upcoming crop year. At the time of writing this article, Lethbridge area feedlots were buying feed barley in the range of $240/mt to $250/mt delivered for nearby delivery while Red Deer operations were showing bids for $228/mt to […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
