For the week ending February 28, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from seven days earlier. Calves may have traded $5-$10/cwt higher at some locations. Feeding margins have improved over the past week with Southern Alberta pen-closeouts now hovering near breakeven. Ontario feedlot margins are in positive territory by $20-$40/head. At the Ponoka video
Klassen: Strong demand underpins Western Canadian feeder market
Klassen: Feeder market remains firm
For the week ending February 21, Western Canadian markets for yearlings or backgrounded cattle traded steady to $10/cwt higher. The calf market was mixed with values quoted $5 higher to $10/cwt lower. Feedlot margins appear to be improving in the short-term which supported the yearling market. Extremely cold temperatures across most of Alberta may have
Klassen: Feeder market eyes fed cattle for direction
For the week ending February 14, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. The deferred live cattle futures have been consolidating in a narrow range over the past month, which has limited the upside in the feeder complex. Supplies of yearlings or replacements over 800 pounds are increasing as
Klassen: Calf markets continue to climb
For the week ending February 7, Western Canadian feeder markets traded $10 higher to $10 lower compared to seven days earlier. The cash market was extremely volatile as the sell-off in the feeder cattle futures on Thursday, February 5, installed cautious tone amongst buyers late in the week. Fleshier cattle in smaller packages were discounted
Klassen: Feeder Cattle Market Waits For Direction
For the week ending January 31, Western Canadian feeder markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Adverse weather in southern Alberta may have tempered buying interest for lighter weight calves. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $508-$510 per hundredweight delivered, steady to $2/cwt higher than last
Klassen: Western Canadian calf prices ratchet higher
For the week ending January 24, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10/cwt lower to $10/cwt higher compared to seven days earlier. The market was quite variable depending on flesh conditions and genetic quality. Prices for backgrounded yearlings or fall placed calves were steady to $5 higher on larger packages on controlled weight gain diets;
Klassen: Feeder market near historical highs
For the week ending January 17, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5/cwt lower to $10/cwt higher compared to the week ending January 10. The market was quite variable across the Prairies with weather conditions influencing the price structure. Overall, there was very strong demand with Ontario and Southern Alberta feedlots aggressively working to secure
Klassen: Feeder cattle market starts 2026 with stronger tone
For the week ending January 10, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were up $8-$10/cwt on average compared to three weeks earlier. Strength was noted in backgrounded pre-conditioned replacements weighing 700 pounds plus. Quality genetic packages with full processing were up $20/cwt in some cases. The weather was quite variable and feedlots have experienced above normal
Klassen: Feeder market poised to strengthen
There were no feeder cattle sales in Western Canada for the week ending January 3. However, there were some sales in the U.S. and the Canadian markets will follow suit once activity returns to normal. For example, at the Ozarks Regional Stockyards in West Plains, Missouri, weaned and vaccinated steers and heifers over 750 pounds
Klassen: Feedlot margins will determine feeder prices
There were no Western Canadian feeder cattle sales for week ending December 27. The shortened holiday week is always a time for cattle producers to call in and discuss factors that will influence the feeder market over the next couple months. In the short-term, finishing feedlot margins are the main factor driving the feeder market.
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