Production uncertainty drives feed grain markets

Production uncertainty drives feed grain markets

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Barley and corn prices have been extremely volatile over the past month. Large regions of Western Canada are experiencing drought-like conditions. At the same time, crop ratings for the U.S. corn crop reflect yield uncertainty in the Midwest. I’ve received many inquiries from feedlot operators and cow-calf producers regarding the price outlook for corn and […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market shrugs off lower barley production

Barley exports, domestic demand expected to be reduced

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3/cwt on either side of unchanged. Prices for calves were also unchanged from average values seven days earlier. Calf markets are becoming more defined as volumes increase. There also appeared to be larger volume of high-quality yearlings available, which was a surprise. The drought hasn’t significantly […] Read more


calf and cow

Fed cattle prices strong, parched pastures accelerates yearling run

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the September 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Fed cattle Feedlot margins are positive while packer margins have started to struggle. As packers push back, carcass weights have grown, supplies have increased slightly and beef demand dipped lower during the extreme summer heat. All this has contributed to a seasonal reduction in fed cattle prices.. From the June price high of $247.84/cwt, prices […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Calf numbers down in Western Canada

StatCan figures a surprise to the trade

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets were relatively unchanged. Yearlings straight off grass were very well bid and prices held value. Yearlings over 800 lbs. on light grain ration were quoted $15-$20 discount to those cattle coming straight off pasture. We’re seeing heavier calves around 800 lbs. trade at $330-$340. Increased calf numbers […] Read more


Brent Lonker looks for bulls that are more heavily muscled on the front.

Backing the Bonsma principles in today’s beef industry

A look at how Jan Bonsma’s approach to selection is still influencing some ranchers

A look at how Jan Bonsma’s approach to selection is still influencing some ranchers

Over recent years, many commercial cattle operators have become somewhat disillusioned with the direction of certain segments of the beef seedstock industry. In their view, the common sense guideposts for the most useful animals have been directing them too close to the numbers-dominated terminal growth and carcass traits, often at the expense of maternal, reproductive […] Read more

A vet preg checks heifers on a ranch in north-western Saskatchewan. Heifers that conceive early should be the top replacement candidates, says Dr. Jordan Thomas.

Breaking bad habits key to better bottom lines

Cow-calf producers urged to look at potential replacement heifers and older cows as buyers rather than sellers

The silent killer of cow-calf profitability is the bad habits of producers, according to Dr. Jordan Thomas, and holding on to less efficient cows is one of the worst. “What causes long hay-feeding seasons and long calving seasons is the person in the mirror — we need to work on how we think,” says the […] Read more


(Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Feedlots aggressively secure ownership

StatCan cattle inventory report due out soon

Compared to last week, yearlings straight off grass sold $3-$5 higher on average. In certain cases, larger groups of higher quality genetics traded $8-$12 above week-ago levels. Auction markets had larger volumes this past week and there was strong demand across all weight categories. It’s that time of year when major operations are stepping forward […] Read more

(Geralyn Wichers file photo)

Klassen: Feeder market consolidates

USDA report considered supportive for Q4 fed cattle

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3/cwt on either side of unchanged. The steam appears to be coming off the market as larger volumes become available. Pastures have basically dried up in many areas of Western Canada, which has spurred on producer selling. The calf market was hard to define due to […] Read more


JBS signage at Greeley, Colorado. (JBS.com.br)

JBS posts quarterly loss on tight U.S. beef margins

'Greater balance' forecasted for global chicken supply

Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazilian meat company JBS SA on Monday reported a second-quarter loss citing the negative effects of an oversupplied global chicken market and tighter margins for its beef business in the U.S., where it gets most of its sales. JBS reported a net loss of 263.6 million reais (C$73.8 million), the […] Read more

(Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Upward momentum in feeder market eases

Feedlots seen in 'risk assessment mode'

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Higher-quality groups of yearling heifers appeared to trade steady to $2 higher on average while steer markets traded $3-$4 higher to $2 lower. Calf prices are unchanged from seven days earlier. The rally in deferred live cattle futures has stalled for the time […] Read more