Western Canadian feeder cattle prices jumped $4-$6 over the past week as strengthening feeding margins enhanced buying interest for replacement cattle. Noticeable gains were noted in eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba early in the week and Alberta markets followed the charge higher. Cattle buyers in southwestern Manitoba reported mixed steers averaging 900 pounds readily trading from […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle jump $4 to $6 in West
Klassen: Stronger demand lifts feeder cattle prices
Western Canada’s feeder cattle prices were quite volatile over the past week, experiencing various surges on firm momentum from seven days earlier. In southeastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, calves under 650 pounds were averaging $5 to $8 above week-ago levels on solid U.S. buying interest. Calves under 400 lbs. were touching the $380-$390 levels in this […] Read more
Klassen: Price environment continues to enhance feeder complex
The stars continue to align in the correct pattern for the feeder cattle market, as prices in Western Canada jumped $2 to $5 this past week with noticeable advances in the lighter-weight categories. The Canadian dollar continues to deteriorate, and there is potential for further weakness given the overall economic situation. Secondly, Alberta fed cattle […] Read more
Klassen: Higher fed cattle prices pull up feeder values
Fed cattle in Alberta were trading at $191 this past week, which set a positive tone in the feeder complex. Across the Prairies, heavier quality replacements over 700 pounds posted gains of $2 to $4 while lighter-weight cattle were $3 to $5 higher compared to seven days earlier. Feedlot margins improved with break-even pen closeouts […] Read more
Klassen: Demand varies for feeder cattle
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable over the past week. Stronger demand was noted in the major feeding regions such as southern Alberta where top-quality steers weighing just over 600 pounds reached $288. Manitoba prices were also steady to $3 higher on buying interest from Eastern Canada and south of the border. However, […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market stabilizes
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged this past week after a surge in buying interest earlier in February. Certain auction markets reported values $2 to $5 higher in Alberta, but other reports from Saskatchewan and Manitoba were actually a bit softer. A smaller group of exotic steers weighing just under 500 pounds sold […] Read more
Klassen: Uncertainty looms for feeder cattle market
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to as much as $5 higher over the past week. Lighter-weight calves under 600 pounds experienced notable gains, while stronger buying interest was also noted on medium- to lower-flesh backgrounded cattle in the 800-pound-plus category. Major feeding operations were quick to discount cattle that appeared to have too […] Read more
Feeder cattle market stabilizes
A feeder cattle outlook for the spring period
I’ve received many inquiries over the past month in regards to the feeder cattle outlook for the spring period. Most of these inquiries come from the feedlot sector because many operations are running sophisticated risk management programs that require balancing positions of fed cattle, feeder cattle and feed grain inputs. Backgrounding operations are also in […] Read more
Klassen: Renewed buying interest drives feeder market
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced extremely aggressive buying interest this past week. Feeder cattle in the 700-pound-plus category were trading $2 to as much as $8 higher in some cases, while lighter-weight cattle were steady to $5 above week-ago levels. I was extremely surprised by prices and comments after the dismal January market behaviour. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market turning over
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were very uneven over the past week. Market reports from the major feeding regions reflected values steady to $3 higher, while other reports were steady to $5 lower. Gains were noted on cattle under 500 pounds, such as in central Alberta, where a small group of exotic and Charolais-based steers […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
