Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets traded $3-$5 higher. Auction barns in the major feeding regions of Alberta had limited numbers on offer last week; therefore, major operations were sourcing feeders from farther distances. While most feedlots are carrying sufficient numbers, year-end buying was able set the market on a firm tone. April […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market ends year on firm tone
Klassen: Feeder market bounces off recent lows
Compared to last week, yearlings traded $5 to as much as $10 higher while calf markets strengthened by $4-$8. Southern Alberta experienced winds of extreme nature over the past few weeks, which caused buyers to shy away from the market; however, with year-end right around the corner, pent-up demand stepped forward with a vengeance in […] Read more
Feeder cattle outlook lower in 2019
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
I’ve received many calls from cattle producers over the past couple of weeks with regard to the feeder cattle outlook for the spring period. Feeder cattle prices made seasonal highs during the first week of October and then started to trend lower. This weakness caught many cow-calf producers off guard as they failed to realize […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market experiences softer demand
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle sold $4-$6 lower on average. Feedlot operators backed away from the markets due to stronger feed grain prices and weakness south of the border. Certain regions of the U.S. Midwest and southern Plains have experienced adverse weather, which caused U.S. feeder cattle prices to experience a week-over-week […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market searching for direction
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quite variable from seven days earlier. Prices were unchanged in the eastern Prairie regions; however, Alberta markets traded $3 to as much as $7 below week-ago levels. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlot inventories are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels, so there’s limited buying power available. Calves are fleshier […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market stabilizes
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from week-ago levels. Favourable weather conditions enhanced buying interest from cattle feeders in Feedlot Alley; however, cattle-on-feed inventories in Alberta and Saskatchewan are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels. Pen space remains at a premium due to limited capacity. County permit fees and added regulations have also […] Read more
Klassen: Softer demand causes feeder prices to weaken
Compared to last week, Alberta feeder cattle markets traded $4 to as much as $8 lower; however, Manitoba and Saskatchewan prices experienced a week-over-week decline of $3 to $5 on average. Demand from Eastern Canada appeared to limit slippage in the eastern Prairie regions but some of these markets also faltered late in the week. […] Read more
Feed grain prices weigh on feeder cattle market
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
In my previous column, I stated that feeder cattle prices were in the process of making seasonal highs due to the lower feed grain prices and weaker Canadian dollar. At that time, I mentioned that producers should buy price insurance on their calves or feeder cattle. Since writing that article, the feed grain fundamentals have […] Read more
Klassen: Weather weighs on feeder cattle
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. Eastern Prairie regions experienced demand from Ontario and Quebec, which limited the downside; however, Alberta markets faltered as buyers, having factored in a higher deathloss due to adverse weather. Light wet snow along with warmer temperatures during the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle demand softens
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were $2 to $3 lower on average. Feedlots were more aggressive on replacements that will finish for the March April fed cattle market. April live cattle futures continue to trade at a $8 premium to the June contract so lighter yearlings were discounted accordingly. The quality was […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
