Klassen: Feeder cattle market outlook

Klassen: Feeder cattle market outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Feeder cattle markets in Western Canada have been trading near seven-year highs throughout the fall. Feeder cattle supplies are sharply below year-ago levels on both sides of the border. While supplies are tighter, demand from feedlots for replacement cattle has been significantly greater than last year. Finishing operators in Western Canada have been able to […] 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


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

Worker shortage looms

Worker shortage looms

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay

Labour and cattle are the two biggest challenges that beef processors face in running a profitable business year in, year out. COVID-19’s onset revealed how any sizeable workforce disruption can wreak havoc with running a beef plant efficiently.  All major beef-producing countries faced labour shortages during the pandemic. Staffing levels have returned to close to […] Read more


A meat display at a grocery store.

Show us the money, Part 1: What does the producer share of the retail beef dollar mean?

When looking at the farmer share of the retail dollar, we must recognize that U.S. prices still dominate the price structures of both our cow-calf and feedlot sectors

A common concern in agricultural circles is what proportion or percentage of the price of a litre of milk, a loaf of bread or a beef steak makes its way back to the producer. I have written and spoken about this before, but I cannot do so again without first admitting that I have sometimes […] Read more

Consumers may find themselves turning more to hamburgers on the grill this summer more than ever due to the much higher price of steaks.

Throw a burger on the grill

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay

Wander around any suburban neighbourhood in Canada or the U.S. this month and you will get a whiff of North Americans’ favourite pastime. The month is the start of the annual grilling season and many millions of people will be barbecuing everything from beef steaks to ground beef patties. And yes, there will be plenty […] Read more


During the pandemic, consumers in the U.S and Canada ate more beef at higher prices.

Beef demand appears to be shifting

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers regarding beef demand. Throughout the pandemic, consumers ate more beef at higher prices. This was the only recession in history where incomes increased on average due to government stimulus packages. There was also a change in taste or change in behaviour. Social restrictions and the fear of catching […] Read more


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Quebec group seeks to sue beef packers over pricing

Group's class-action application alleges price-fixing dating back to 2015

A Quebec consumer protection group intends to launch a class action lawsuit against four major beef processors in Canada and the U.S., alleging a “meat pricing conspiracy.” “At a time of high inflation, it is unacceptable to make the price of beef even more expensive than it already is,” Sylvie De Bellefeuille, a lawyer for […] Read more


Feeder cattle placements in January 2022 were four per cent lower than the previous year.

Cull cow prices see normal first-quarter improvement

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

Fed cattle Large kill volumes through February and increased front-end supply in the U.S. have held the fed cattle market in a tight trading range. Fed cattle prices in Western Canada ranged from $161.31/cwt to $163.24/cwt over a four-week period. The fed steer average on March 11 was $161.72/cwt. While the fed average is $11.72/cwt […] Read more

New year sees large fed cattle supply in Canada

New year sees large fed cattle supply in Canada

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

Fed cattle Due to the drought-forced placement pattern last year, the market-ready fed cattle supply in Canada is larger than normal for the start of a new year. This, coupled with uncertainty in the cattle market due to labour disruptions in many industry sectors, has led to a back-log of front-end supply and a soft […] Read more