Klassen: Positive fed outlook buoys feeder market

Klassen: Positive fed outlook buoys feeder market

Market telling producers to own lighter cattle sooner rather than later

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices for 800-pound plus cattle were $2/cwt to $4/cwt higher on average for the week ending January 27. Feeders in the 500-800-pound category were up $3/cwt to $6/cwt with higher quality groups up as much as $10/cwt in some cases. Feeders 500 pounds and lower were unchanged from seven days earlier.

“Most fractures we see in young calves are not open wounds or compound fractures, so there’s no infection. But if we don’t do a good job of protecting a broken limb and it becomes open, the chances for survival plummet quickly.” – Dr. Andy Acton.

Limb injury in newborn calves

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

Calving time is just down the road and questions dealing with limb injuries in newborn calves are about to become daily entries in large animal clinics serving beef herds. Next, are dairy calves with crippling limb injuries throughout the year. Many require veterinary care.  Limb injuries fall into the following areas: Most veterinarians agree that […] 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



In early December, the Saskatchewan River was at its second lowest level in the past 23 years.   Photo: Alex McCuaig

Alberta expands livestock drought recovery supports

Only a narrow band of the province remains exempt from the aid program

The 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance initiative, funded through the AgriRecovery framework by the federal and provincial governments, offers payments of up to $150 per head to livestock producers who have 15 or more animals per type of livestock, and have altered usual grazing practices for more than 21 days due to drought.

The smaller DJI Mini Pro 3 is an easier way to check if gates are open and water troughs working, while the DJI Agras T-10 can be fitted with a spreader.

The high-tech redneck

Steve Kay turns to drones to check fences and top-dress pastures

I am usually one of the last guys to jump into new technology. New ideas? Yes. New management techniques? Yes. But new technology? I’ll admit I am resistant to change. But several months ago, I jumped out of my comfort zone with both feet. Last summer I bought a drone — the DJI Mini Pro […] 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.