(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market rations demand

Risk discount built in with adverse weather

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calf prices were steady to $6 lower. Demand from Ontario buyers caused markets in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan to hold value. Alberta prices were under pressure as the market appears to be rationing demand. Calf prices are 25-30 per cent higher than year-ago

CME August 2023 live cattle (candlesticks) beneath CME December 2023 live cattle (top line),  The spread between the two has been influencing the price structure for calves, Jerry Klassen writes. (Barchart)

Klassen: Stronger deferred live cattle futures support feeder market

Fall run seen moving into final stages

Compared to last week, western Canadian calf markets traded $5 lower to as much as $3 higher. Quality groups of heifers weighing 550-700 lbs. were notably $2-$3 higher and this was largely due to lower supplies of steers. Weather conditions improved in southern Alberta, which was supportive; however, buyers were cautious. Quality pre-conditioned calves held


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Adverse weather limits demand for calves

Stronger Canadian dollar adds pressure

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 higher. Calves traded steady to $10 lower in Alberta while markets in Saskatchewan and Manitoba were quoted $5 lower to $2 higher. Adverse weather resulted in a softer tone for calves with Lethbridge temperatures dipping to -25 to -33 C last week. The

(WPohlDesign/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Tighter supplies underpin western Canadian feeder market

Weather conditions may sway buying interest

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged to $4 higher. Heavier calves notched a week-over-week gain of $2-$4. Mid-weight and lighter calves traded steady to $5 lower in Alberta but $4-$5 on either side of unchanged in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Yearling numbers were limited and buyers paid up for quality packages while


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Stronger barley prices limit upside for feeder cattle complex

Feedlot operators make barley purchases, price feeder cattle accordingly

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 higher to as much as $5 lower. A softer tone was noted on yearlings in the eastern Prairie regions. Calf prices were steady to $4 lower on average compared to seven days earlier. Quality yearling packages fresh off grass held value but backgrounded heavier replacements

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Demand fears cause feeder cattle market volatility

Barley values continue upward

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $4 higher to as much as $6 lower. Strength was noted in the eastern Prairie regions while the market was softer in Alberta. Western Canadian calves were extremely volatile, trading $5 higher to as much as $10 lower in some cases. It’s not uncommon for markets


Photo: Canada Beef

Klassen: Steady demand underpins feeder cattle complex

Compared to last week, Alberta yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged; however, 800-pound-plus cattle in Manitoba and Saskatchewan appeared to trade $4-$6 higher. Yearling prices across the Prairies are now relatively even with no freight discounts from major southern Alberta markets. Calf markets are becoming more defined with larger volumes on offer.



CME April 2023 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

Klassen: April live cattle futures pull nearby cash feeder market higher

More feedlots switching back to barley

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $3 higher on average. Quality yearling packages of larger volume traded $2-$3 above week-ago levels. The calf market is becoming more defined. Larger calf volumes were on offer in Saskatchewan and Manitoba but smaller numbers were noted in Alberta. Therefore, we can’t accurately compare

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market ratchets higher

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices markets traded $2-$5 higher on average. Calves were quite variable. This was the first week when larger groups of calves were featured on the internet sales. Prices on the internet appeared to be significantly stronger than smaller groups under 10 head moving through auction rings. Feedlot operators