Jerry Klassen

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $119 to $120 per hundredweight (cwt) last week, which caused feeder cattle to advance by $2-$3/cwt on average across Western Canada. Feeding margins are now hovering near break-even and it appears feedlot managers have more optimism for the spring period. Auction market volumes were noticeably […] Read more

Western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week while calf prices were mixed. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $118 to $119.25, up $2 from seven days earlier which spilled over into the heavier classes of feeder cattle. Feedlot margins are now hovering near break-even […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2 per hundredweight (cwt) lower to $2/cwt higher last week. Fed cattle in Alberta reached up to $118/cwt, up a solid $2/cwt from seven days earlier which appeared to renew feedlot buying interest. Cash barley bids in Southern Alberta were also down $2 on the week, dipping to $276 […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices continue to consolidate trading steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) lower depending on the region. Fed cattle prices were up $2/cwt on average, which was supportive for heavier replacement cattle but feedlot margins continue to hover in red ink. There is no shortage of beef, as the U.S. Department of […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels. The yearling run is basically finished and a larger volume of calves are coming on the market. A larger group of exotic medium-flesh steers weighing just over 500 pounds sold for $154 per hundredweight (cwt) in central Alberta. Black Angus-cross steers weighing 650 lbs. moved […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week; light-weight calves were uneven, down $3 to up $4/cwt in comparison to seven days earlier. Strength in the fed cattle market renewed buying enthusiasm from major feedlot operators for yearlings and heavier calves. However, adverse wet and snowy weather continued […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2/cwt higher to $3/cwt lower last week with each province experiencing a volatile price structure. Adverse weather conditions along with soft cattle futures caused major feedlots to lower their buying ideas. Certain lots are backed up with market-ready supplies and are looking to liquidate fed cattle before stepping forward […] Read more

Southern Alberta feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 higher on average last week. However, the market was uneven in other areas of Western Canada, trading steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower. The yearling run is coming to a close as feedlots step forward more aggressively for weaned calves. Despite the softer futures for […] Read more

Buyers are starting to step forward more aggressively for replacement cattle as auction market volumes increase in line with the seasonal tendency. The market is realizing buying interest from the small-farmer backgrounding operator; major feedlot operators continue to be stepping forward despite higher barley prices. Cash barley bids reached $280 per tonne last week, up […] Read more

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower on average compared to week-ago levels with larger volume of calves coming on stream. Deferred live cattle futures were lower and weaker feedlot margins are the main factors pressuring feeder cattle prices in the short term. Barley prices in southern Alberta jumped […] Read more