CME August 2023 live cattle (candlesticks) beneath CME December 2023 live cattle (top line),  The spread between the two has been influencing the price structure for calves, Jerry Klassen writes. (Barchart)

Klassen: Stronger deferred live cattle futures support feeder market

Fall run seen moving into final stages

Compared to last week, western Canadian calf markets traded $5 lower to as much as $3 higher. Quality groups of heifers weighing 550-700 lbs. were notably $2-$3 higher and this was largely due to lower supplies of steers. Weather conditions improved in southern Alberta, which was supportive; however, buyers were cautious. Quality pre-conditioned calves held […] Read more

The Fossen family, Rock Creek, B.C.

Ranching in a tough environment

The Fossen family seeks to improve the environment and cut wildfire risk at their ranch in southern B.C.

It’s the night of the banquet at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC) in Penticton, B.C. Cowboy hats are found sporadically throughout the room. Banquet staff have cleared supper plates, and now the crowd’s attention is focused on Duane Thompson with the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) as he lists all the nominees for the Environmental […] Read more


Canada’s beef cow inventory has declined for the third consecutive year and is at its lowest since 2015.

Canadian cattle numbers see significant drop, strong demand for beef continues

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

Canada’s cattle inventory declined in 2022, with cows and heifers for beef replacement down substantially. Concerns about a second year of drought across the Prairies pushed more heifers into feedlots early in 2022. Prices for fed and non-fed Canadian cattle maintained their upward price momentum from spring to summer on a tight supply outlook, as […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Adverse weather limits demand for calves

Stronger Canadian dollar adds pressure

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 higher. Calves traded steady to $10 lower in Alberta while markets in Saskatchewan and Manitoba were quoted $5 lower to $2 higher. Adverse weather resulted in a softer tone for calves with Lethbridge temperatures dipping to -25 to -33 C last week. The […] Read more



Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA’s logo on a tower in Jundiai, northwest of Sao Paulo in southeastern Brazil, on June 1, 2017. (File photo: Reuters/Paulo Whitaker)

Meatpacker JBS’s plunging profit beats forecasts

Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazil’s JBS SA, the world’s largest meat producer, on Thursday said quarterly profit plunged 47.1 per cent, but results still beat analysts’ estimates as higher revenues helped offset shrinking margins in its U.S. beef division. The company posted a third-quarter net profit of 4.01 billion reais (C$1.001 billion), while analysts […] Read more


Concerns of a recession being just around the corner and global economic issues are weighing on consumers.

Beef demand reacting to inflationary pressures

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the November 2022 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Fed cattle Canadian fed cattle prices are not experiencing the price strength that has been seen recently in the U.S., which is abnormal but has been the case a few times this year. Western Canadian feedlots were not as current as was expected for October. Reduced weekly kill numbers and decreased beef exports are contributing […] Read more

(WPohlDesign/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Tighter supplies underpin western Canadian feeder market

Weather conditions may sway buying interest

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged to $4 higher. Heavier calves notched a week-over-week gain of $2-$4. Mid-weight and lighter calves traded steady to $5 lower in Alberta but $4-$5 on either side of unchanged in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Yearling numbers were limited and buyers paid up for quality packages while […] Read more


Photo: File

U.S. livestock: Lean hog, live cattle futures sag in technical moves

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures declined on Friday, with the benchmark December contract hitting a near three-week low in what appeared to be featureless technical selling, traders said. CME December hogs LHZ2 settled down 0.400 cent at 82.975 cents per lb after touching 82.825, the lowest since Oct. 17, and falling below […] Read more

Photo: File

U.S. livestock: Live cattle bounce from two-week low in most-active contract

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished higher on Thursday in the most-active contract, after shaking off a two-week low hit earlier in the session, traders said. Other contracts ended mixed, as the market took a breather following a recent rally in cash cattle prices, brokers said. Cash cattle on Thursday […] Read more