Western Canadian feeder cattle price volatility continues while average prices remain near historical highs. Fancier minimal-flesh quality calf prices experienced spurts of $5 to $8 above average levels as exotic steers averaging 780 pounds reached up to $246 in central Alberta. Similarly, a small group of quality 750-lb. steers touched $252 at a feature sale […] Read more
Klassen: Healthy feeding margins support feeder cattle market
Klassen — feeder cattle market reflects mixed tone
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices reflected a mixed tone over the past week with values $3 to $5 higher on vaccinated preconditioned calves; unvaccinated calves just off their mothers were $3/cwt to as much as $10/cwt lower in some cases. Yearling prices were also quite variable by as much as $10/cwt despite the tightening supply […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets remain firm at feature sales
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced extreme volatility over the past week. Strong buying interest was noted on pre-conditioned calves while unweaned bawlers traded $2-$5 per hundredweight (cwt) lower. Alberta packers showed limited interest for fed cattle due to uncertainty in wholesale beef values. However, by the weekend, fed cattle in the U.S. southern Plains […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle experience volatile price action
Western Canada’s feeder cattle prices traded in an volatile fashion this past week due to uncertain economics and beef demand uncertainty. Early in the week, auction barns were reporting values steady with week-ago levels; however, buying enthusiasm started to wane by Wednesday and prices were $3-$5 per hundredweight (cwt) lower by the weekend. Feedlot operators […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle jump $4-$8
Western Canada’s calf prices once again jumped $4-$8 per hundredweight (cwt) while yearling prices advanced a solid $2-$4. Strength in the fed cattle market, along with stronger wholesale beef values, rejuvenated buying enthusiasm for all weight categories. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle $2-$3/cwt above week-ago levels with fed steers trading in the range of […] Read more
Klassen: Hot demand on feature calf sales
Western Canada’s feeder cattle markets continue to show signs of exorbitant strength as the fall run moves into full gear. Many auction markets were featuring the first calf sales of the season, defining the market structure for the next few weeks. Major feeding regions such as southern Alberta saw quality 500-pound steer calves readily trade […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market surges
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices surged $4-$6 per hundredweight (cwt) and in some cases as much as $10/cwt over the past seven days. Feedlot buyers became more aggressive in the market, now that corn silage season in southern Alberta is in the final stages. Favourable weather also enhanced buying interest, and the same old story […] Read more
Klassen: Tight yearling supplies support feeder complex
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $3 to $4 per hundredweight (cwt) higher on average. Cattle buyers were scrambling to fill orders on yearlings as supply uncertainty continues to drive prices higher. Feedlot vacancy is at seasonal lows and operators want to fill pens as soon as possible. Feeding margins are narrowing with higher replacement […] Read more
Feed grain price outlook: Expect high cost of gain on Prairies
I’ve received many inquiries as to the price outlook for feed grains over the past month as crop conditions vary across Western Canada. A fair portion of the wheat crop was seeded after June 1 which will be susceptible to frost. The U.S. corn crop has been developing under favourable conditions setting the stage for […] Read more
Klassen: Yearlings in hot demand
September has started with a roar, with fresh lofty levels reached on all weight categories and classes of feeder cattle. The slower summer period gave feedlot operators a chance to rejuvenate and there was no shortage of optimism and energy at auction barns across the Prairies. The equity building over the past year has resulted […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
