Feedlot margins are set up to move into the negative for the second quarter of 2019.

Feeder cattle outlook lower in 2019

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many calls from cattle producers over the past couple of weeks with regard to the feeder cattle outlook for the spring period. Feeder cattle prices made seasonal highs during the first week of October and then started to trend lower. This weakness caught many cow-calf producers off guard as they failed to realize […] Read more



Feeder cattle market responding to feed grain complex

Feeder cattle market responding to feed grain complex

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries with regard to the market outlook for feeder cattle. Western Canadian yearling and calf prices have been trading near 52-week highs and cow-calf operators are wondering if prices will continue to percolate higher during the fall period. The feeder market is a pure competitive market; therefore, feedlots usually bid up the […] Read more

Barley grains

Feed grain update

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Western Canadian barley prices have been percolating higher throughout the harvest period. At the time of writing this article, Lethbridge-area feedlots were making barley purchases in the range of $245/mt to $260/mt delivered while central Alberta operations were showing bids from $235/mt to $245/mt. It’s important to realize that prices are about $60/mt above year-ago […] Read more


Calves coming into the Western Canadian market this fall will be similar to year-ago levels.

Feeder cattle outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

It’s that time of year when I receive many calls from cow-calf producers and backgrounding operators inquiring about the feeder cattle market outlook for the fall and winter. Yearling prices have been quite strong throughout the summer and the deferred live cattle futures are reflecting slightly higher prices in September and October. Prices for calves […] Read more

Barley stocks are tight and imports of U.S. corn into Western Canada will likely continue into the new crop year.

Tighter corn and barley stocks for 2018-19

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

It’s that time of year when I receive many inquiries in regard to the feed grain outlook for the 2018-19 crop year. In the previous article, I discussed South American crop conditions and North American projections for the upcoming crop year. Feedlot operators have been factoring higher costs per pound gain which has resulted in […] Read more


Feeder cattle outlook

Feeder cattle outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

It’s that time of year when I receive many inquiries from cow-calf producers and feedlot operators regarding the price outlook for feeder cattle. Throughout March, yearling prices were under pressure while calves and cattle fit for grass were rather firm. The feeder cattle market appears to be sending mixed signals. Feedlot margins have been rather […] Read more

cattle in a feedlot

Feed grain outlook for 2018

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Once again it is that time of year when I receive many inquiries from cattle producers with regard to the price outlook for feed grains. At the time of writing this article, Lethbridge area feedlots were buying feed barley in the range of $218/mt to $223/mt; however, feedlots located between Calgary and Edmonton were making […] Read more


Understanding the forward curve in the futures market

Understanding the forward curve in the futures market

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many calls from backgrounding operators and feedlot managers in regard to the feeder cattle market. Prices have strengthened throughout the fall period and it now appears that potential margins will be quite snug for all weight categories. The futures market for live and feeder cattle is reflecting two distinct price structures. Discerning the […] Read more

Canadian dollar outlook

Canadian dollar outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

The Canadian dollar experienced a sharp rally from May through September as the Bank of Canada implemented a tighter monetary policy. This was somewhat negative for fed and feeder cattle prices. However, since early September, the Canadian dollar has deteriorated and I’ve received many inquiries over the past few weeks with regard to future market […] Read more