Insights and Stories on Beef Cattle

Klassen: Feeder market holds value despite negative margins

Jan. 23, 2024 at 11:32 am CST

Calf markets appeared to trade $2 to $3 above week-ago levels on average. Feedlot margins on current pen close-outs are negative $300 to $350 per head but replacement markets haven’t missed a beat. Finishing feedlots were once again bidding aggressively on backgrounded cattle with fleshier types experiencing limited slippage. Larger pen sized groups were on the higher end of the priced spectrum with buyers avoiding smaller packages.

Klassen: Yearling return to the lineup on strong demand

Jan. 16, 2024 at 9:33 am CST

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Cattle producers anxious about 2024

Jan. 9, 2024 at 9:32 am CST

By Jerry Klassen

Feed Grain weekly outlook: Corn, barley on level ground

Dec. 28, 2023 at 4:50 pm CST

By Adam Peleshaty - MarketsFarm

What to consider when changing the breeding season

Dec. 22, 2023 at 3:02 pm CST

By Melissa Jeffers-Bezan

Canadian cattle in a feedlot with a cowboy in the background.

Klassen: Year-end buying interest boosts feeder market

Dec. 12, 2023 at 11:54 am CST

Strength was noted in calves under 650 pounds while feeders over 700 pounds were relatively unchanged. Larger packages of weaned quality genetics were $8 to $10 higher in some cases.

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Feeder market bounces on lower volumes

Dec. 5, 2023 at 10:04 am CST

Strength was noted in Manitoba and Saskatchewan while a softer tone was evident in Alberta. Once again, buyers shrugged off the weaker feeder cattle futures and the focus was on filling year-end orders. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlots are carrying larger numbers but there appears to be sufficient bunk capacity available to sustain the price structure.

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Strong demand continues to support feeder market

Nov. 28, 2023 at 7:06 am CST

For the week ending Nov. 25, western Canadian yearling prices were $4-$8/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. However, calf markets were firm trading $5-$8/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to values quoted a week prior. Optimal weather in southern Alberta caused major feedlot operators to stretch their hands […]

By Jerry Klassen

Deer and elk take a bite out of winter feed

Nov. 24, 2023 at 10:21 am CST

Wildlife and livestock co-exist on pasture throughout the summer. However, in winter when livestock are being fed, wildlife can become a nuisance. Across Alberta, many producers are dealing with wildlife in winter feed, but how many are experiencing problems is not known. “It’s pretty ubiquitous throughout the province, but what […]

By Jill Burkhardt

Klassen: Canadian feeder buyers ignore weaker futures market

Nov. 21, 2023 at 9:01 am CST

For the week ending Nov. 18, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$5/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Buyers appeared to shrug off the weaker futures market and the defensive tone from a week earlier evaporated. Eastern Prairie markets were firm, with larger packages of […]

By Jerry Klassen