(HLS.ca/virden)

Auction mart report for the week of Feb. 9, 2024

Regional market analysis from Manitoba, courtesy of the Livestock Markets Association of Canada members.

Western Manitoba, courtesy of Heartland Livestock Services A light run of cattle this week, with about 300 going through Virden. The majority were feeders, and the remaining 10 per cent butcher cattle. About 40 per cent went to southern Alberta, 30 per cent local, 10 per cent to the east, and 20 per cent to […] Read more

Photo: File

U.S. livestock: CME cattle soar as cash markets firm

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures jumped on Thursday, buoyed by rising cash cattle prices and a government inventory report confirming that the total number of U.S. cattle fell to a 73-year low. CME April live cattle futures LCJ24 settled up 2.475 cents at 183.175 cents per pound, nearing Monday’s 2-1/2-month high of […] Read more


Feed grain prices poised to strengthen

Feed grain prices poised to strengthen

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

During the first week of January, Lethbridge area feedlots were buying feed barley in the range of $310-$320/tonne delivered. In central Alberta, operations were making purchases from $270/tonne to $310/tonne. The feed barley market came under pressure in December after the release of Statistics Canada’s November crop survey. Weaker corn prices have also contributed to […] Read more

Minor changes to a mineral and vitamin feeding program can make a big difference to animal health and productivity.

Changing feeding programs after calving

Nutrition with Barry Yaremcio

Cows and bred heifers require 25 per cent more nutrients after calving than during late pregnancy. Milk production peaks eight weeks after calving. Feed intake increases until 12 weeks after calving. The increased feed intake is the result of the digestive system expanding to fill the space that was occupied by the fetus and reproductive […] Read more


Market Intelligence Report from Canada Beef: Retail beef prices soften as inflation slows

Market Intelligence Report from Canada Beef: Retail beef prices soften as inflation slows

Macroeconomic indicators continue to signal that previous interest rate increases have been effective. Canada narrowly missed going into a recession in the third quarter, unemployment moved slightly higher and inflation is slowing. In contrast, U.S. data indicates an economy on fire. Retail beef prices moved seasonally lower last year, declining 12 per cent month-over-month to […] Read more

EU flags in front of the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels. (Jorisvo/iStock/Getty Images)

Market Intelligence Report from Canada Beef: Shrinking cattle herds in Europe bump Canadian beef imports

As Europe’s beef producers face drought, high feed costs and limited forage, the EU’s imports of Canadian beef have grown slightly, and are expected to continue growing modestly. However, the biggest challenge to further growth of Canadian beef in this market is the limited number of beef plants in Canada that are willing to meet […] Read more



(WPohlDesign/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Feeder market holds value despite negative margins

U.S. demand limited with colder temperatures in Midwest

Calf markets appeared to trade $2 to $3 above week-ago levels on average. Feedlot margins on current pen close-outs are negative $300 to $350 per head but replacement markets haven’t missed a beat. Finishing feedlots were once again bidding aggressively on backgrounded cattle with fleshier types experiencing limited slippage. Larger pen sized groups were on the higher end of the priced spectrum with buyers avoiding smaller packages.


Lactation, reproductive efficiency and maternal instincts all play into how well a cow fits into her environment.

Kansas professor highlights role of genetics in the sustainable cow herd

Breeding and selecting beef cattle that fit an operation’s environment benefits a producer’s bottom line and scores sustainability points

Bob Weaber’s work on cattle genetics is for the producer, and so it’s for him, as well. Growing up, his family raised mostly commercial cattle but also got involved in the Junior Hereford Association in the U.S., where he got interested in seedstock, which was further piqued when he went to university. Now, Weaber operates […] Read more

Cattle use round bales as a wind break. (NDSU photo)

Klassen: Yearling return to the lineup on strong demand

Frigid temperatures result in limited volumes

The market hasn’t missed a beat and started the year where it left in December. The only difference is there are larger supplies of yearlings coming on stream. The benchmark levels had backgrounded steers averaging 1,000 pounds trading from $280-$285/cwt with top bids rounding at $290/cwt. Steers averaging 850-pounds were averaging $300/cwt with top-notch larger groups peaking at $305.