Western Manitoba, courtesy of Heartland Livestock Services
Virden saw 650 cattle through the ring over this snow week. Half of those cattle were bred cows, 30 per cent butcher cattle and the remaining 20 per cent feeders. Local buyers purchased 20 per cent of those animals, eastern buyers another 20 per cent, American buyers 10 per cent, and southern Alberta buyers half.
There weren’t a lot of cattle around, with all the snow, but the market was wild! The trend seems to have long-term staying power, looking to be higher every week. Sellers should get their cattle to the big sales with lots of volume. As the numbers ramp up, markets can be 10 to 30 cents higher at markets with volume.
Read Also
As Canadian farmers plant less barley in 2025, what does it mean for cattle feeders?
Market analyst Jerry Klassen explains what fewer barley acres means for Canadian cattle feeders in 2025-26, and other factors playing into the feed grain market.
Steer prices as follows:
- 400-500 lbs from $430-$515
- 500-600 lbs from $420-$490
- 600-700 lbs from $375-$430
- 700-800 lbs from $330-$388
- 800-1,000 lbs from $315-$343
Heifer prices as follows:
- 400-500 lbs from $380-$452
- 500-600 lbs from $380-$417
- 600-700 lbs from $312-$364
- 700-800 lbs from $300-$348
- 800-1,000 lbs from $275-$310
