Insights and Stories of Jerry Klassen

Jul. 13, 2013 at 1:20 pm CDT

Western Canadian auction barns have been rather quiet so far this summer. Smaller groups of feeder cattle have come up for sale which have been discounted from the regular market structure earlier in spring. Feedlot margins have been hovering near break-even, which is a positive signal, and the market is […]

By Jerry Klassen

Jul. 8, 2013 at 4:51 am CDT

Auction barns across Western Canada were extremely quiet last week, with many locations in holiday mode for the next couple weeks. Pastures remain in optimal conditions, given the recent rains and warm temperatures, while forage crops look very promising. Most feedlots are content with numbers and very current with production; […]

By Jerry Klassen

Jun. 30, 2013 at 1:33 am CDT

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady with week-ago levels as most auction barns are either closed for holidays or sold minimal volumes of feeder cattle. The weaker Canadian dollar should be supportive to the feeder complex, but there wasn’t enough trade to define the market. Cargill’s High River, Alta. […]

By Jerry Klassen

Jun. 23, 2013 at 12:55 pm CDT

Heavy rains over the past week in southern Alberta caused most major feedlot operators to halt purchases of replacement cattle. Therefore, the market had a softer tone despite lower volumes coming on the market. Cost per pound gain can increase by 10 to 15 per cent when pen conditions deteriorate, […]

By Jerry Klassen

Jun. 17, 2013 at 2:12 pm CDT

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $3 per hundredweight (cwt) lower in comparison to seven days earlier, depending on the weight category. Alberta packers were buying slaughter steers in the range of $118-$122/cwt and this volatility resulted in softer bids for heavier replacements. Favourable pasture and forage conditions […]

By Jerry Klassen