Insights and Stories of Jerry Klassen

Nov. 5, 2024 at 9:56 am CST

For the week ending November 2, Western Canadian yearling and calf markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Strong demand continues to support the feeder complex at historical high prices.

By Jerry Klassen

Oct. 29, 2024 at 9:12 am CDT

For the week ending 26, Western Canadian calf markets were up $8-$12/cwt on average compared to seven days earlier. Pee-wee calves were up $20-$25/cwt compared to the prior week. Finishing feedlot operators were active buyers in all weight categories while backgrounders were cleaning up on smaller packages of calves under 550 pounds. 

By Jerry Klassen

Oct. 22, 2024 at 9:59 am CDT

For the week ending October 19, Western Canadian yearling markets traded $3 to $5 on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Calf prices were $5 to as much as $10 higher.  Strength in the deferred live cattle futures along with the weaker Canadian dollar has resulted in positive margins on incoming calves. Therefore, the calf market has developed a floor price.

By Jerry Klassen

Oct. 15, 2024 at 10:18 am CDT

For the week ending October 12, the Western Canadian prices for yearlings off grass and backgrounding operations were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. The Lethbridge market for calves was up $8-$10 from week-ago levels while calf markets in the non-major feeding regions were up a solid $4-$6 on average.

By Jerry Klassen

Oct. 8, 2024 at 10:16 am CDT

For the week ending October 5, Western Canadian prices for grass yearlings were steady to as much as $10 higher while values for backgrounded yearlings were relatively unchanged. Calf markets were quite variable with preconditioned 650-800 pound calves trading $4-$8 above week-ago levels. Prices for  non-weaned bawlers were relatively unchanged.

By Jerry Klassen