Photo: File

Feed grain outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries from feedlot operators and cow-calf producers regarding the feed grain outlook for 2022. Barley prices continue to trade near historical highs. Western Canadian imports of U.S. corn are also poised to set a record during the 2021-22 crop year. Given the higher prices for corn and barley in Western Canada, feeder […] Read more

History tells us that when U.S. inflation exceeds six per cent, this is usually the onset of a recession.

Interest rates and inflation

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Economic headlines over the past year have been dominated by interest rates, inflation, real earnings and consumer spending. For cattle producers, most of the information doesn’t appear to be relevant for day-to-day operations. However, longer-term, these factors have a large effect on the bottom line for the cattle operation. It’s prudent that cattle producers realize […] Read more


The smaller your operation, the more you need to learn and the more you need to spend on market analysis.

Does market analysis enhance your profitability?

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many calls from cattle producers over the past few months regarding the feed and forage markets. The drought resulted in lower western Canadian grain and oilseed production. Forage crops were also devastated in many regions. Cow-calf producers are struggling with historical high forage and hay prices. Feedlot operators are facing the highest feed […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feeder cattle market outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries from cow-calf producers and backgrounding operators regarding the price outlook for feeder cattle. Western Canadian yearling prices made fresh 52-week highs earlier in fall; however, calf prices have been rather sluggish. In many cases, Alberta calf markets have been trading $5 to $10 below year-ago levels. Cow-calf producers are asking when […] Read more


The Canadian calf crop has been relatively flat in the past three years and we’re not likely going to see much of a change for 2021.

Where are we in the cattle cycle?

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many calls from cow-calf producers inquiring about the U.S. and cattle cycle. The recent droughts in the U.S. and Western Canada have resulted in a year-over-year increase in the cow slaughter. Many producers in Canada and the U.S. have liquidated a portion of their herds due to limited feed supply. At the same […] Read more

Canadian dollar forecast

Canadian dollar forecast

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

During March 2020, the Canadian dollar dipped to a four-year low, near 68 U.S. cents, at the onset of the COVID recession. Central banks across the world responded with an aggressive monetary policy to stimulate the economy. The U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada dropped their interest rate to historical lows. The two […] Read more


Feed barley price outlook

Feed barley price outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers regarding the price outlook for feed barley. At the time of writing, Lethbridge feed barley was trading in the range of $405-$415/tonne while Red Deer operations were showing bids from $395-$405/tonne. Barley prices are up nearly $200/tonne from September 2020. Yearling prices continue to trade near 52-week highs […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Understanding the price structure for feeder cattle

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers across Western Canada regarding the price outlook for feeder cattle. Ranchers are asking: When would be the best time to sell their calves? Backgrounding operators are questioning the best time to purchase calves. At the time of writing this article in mid-July, yearling prices were making fresh 52-week […] Read more


Feed barley price outlook

Feed barley price outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Feed grain prices reached historical highs in mid-May. It appears that barley supplies will drop to bin-bottom levels at the end of the 2020-21 crop year. The market has been functioning to ration demand through higher prices; however, domestic usage has been relatively unchanged from past years. At the same time, Canadian barley exports have […] Read more

cattleman on a horse

Should I expand the cow herd?

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries over the past six to eight months from cow-calf producers asking if they should be expanding their cow herd. Producers are asking whether they should try to get another calf out of the older cows and how aggressive they should be with heifer retention. In my experience, cow-calf producers do not […] Read more