The coronavirus’s spread has shifted beef consumer behaviours to end cuts and grinding and trim products.

COVID-19 pandemic sees cattle markets plunge

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the April 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Fed Cattle Global uncertainty resulting from the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic has caused all financial and commodity markets to struggle. The cattle markets have not been excluded from this as we have watched the fed cattle price plummet in recent weeks. The fed cattle cash average is $141.54/cwt, which is $22/cwt lower than the high […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Uncertainty drags on Canadian cattle markets

Beef demand is strong but cattle prices are under pressure, Canfax says

Cattle markets have tumbled as a result of COVID-19, according to the senior analyst at Canfax. “Feeder markets are off pretty hard, some of them are off 15 to 20 cents a pound, this week,” Brian Perillat said Tuesday. “They have been depressed over the last month. Feedlots too. Fed price is at the low […] Read more






CME June 2020 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market remains under pressure

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 lower in Alberta while prices eroded by $2-$5 in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Noticeable weakness was evident in yearling prices, while grass cattle experienced limited slippage. Backgrounding operators are starting to liquidate fall-placed calves. Quality was quite variable, with fleshier cattle experiencing sharper […] Read more


Tight supplies push fed cattle cash prices higher

Tight supplies push fed cattle cash prices higher

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the February 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Fed Cattle The fed cattle cash market had a great start in 2020. Tight market-ready supplies helped push prices higher and led to current feedlots as cattle were pulled ahead to sell into the stronger market. The fed steer price averaged $163.64/cwt the second week of the year, an improvement of $9/cwt from the beginning […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market remains firm

Feeder cattle markets experienced light volumes during the final week of December and prices were relatively unchanged compared to week-ago levels. Yearling values were slightly softer, as these cattle will not have enough time to be ready for the April fed market. Buying interest for mid-weight categories was characterized as sluggish, while light-weight bawlers were […] Read more