CME October 2021 feeder cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

Klassen: Feeder market percolating higher

Weakness in feeder futures seen as temporary hiccup

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $1-$4 higher on average; calves were steady to $2 higher. Limited volume of calves under 600 lbs. made the market hard to define; however, strong demand was surfacing across all weight categories. The weaker Canadian dollar, along with stronger live cattle futures, set a positive tone. […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market heating up

Volumes thin with auction barns in holiday mode

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling steers traded $3-$4 higher while yearling heifers were steady to $2 higher. Mid-weight calves or young yearlings from 600 to 800 lbs. were $3-$5 higher on average. Calves under 600 lbs. were relatively unchanged. Favourable rains across the Prairies have enhanced crop prospects for barley and wheat. April […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market in consolidation mode

Feeder values in West showing premium over U.S.

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable depending on the weight category. Replacement cattle weighing over 800 lbs. were steady to $4 lower while feeders weighing 700-800 lbs. traded steady to $4 higher on average. Feeder cattle under 600 lbs. were unchanged from seven days earlier. The fed cattle market […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Drier conditions will influence feeder market

The feeder market was hard to define this week. The quality of yearlings was quite variable. Fleshier types were heavily discounted while quality packages were unchanged from seven days earlier. Calf prices were mostly unchanged; however, values were down $4-$6 in drier pockets of southern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba. Southern Alberta barley prices were quoted […] 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



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle divorce from futures’ direction

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Higher-quality yearlings and calves were steady to $4 higher in Alberta and Saskatchewan; in Manitoba, yearlings traded $2-$4 lower while calves were $3-$5 higher. Domestic cattle markets appeared to divorce from feeder and live cattle futures. June live cattle futures finished the week […] Read more



The USDA building in Washington, D.C. (Art Wager/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Feeder market digests USDA acreage report

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Lower flesh yearlings appeared to trade $2-$3 higher in certain pockets of Alberta but replacements carrying excessive butter experienced severe discounts of $6 to as much as $10 in some cases. October and December live cattle futures made fresh contract highs, which underpinned […] Read more