Insights and Stories on Beef Cattle

Klassen: Feeder cattle demand surges

Feb. 23, 2021 at 3:57 am CST

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings sold $3-$5 higher while calves traded $6 to as much as $10 higher. The return of moderate temperatures enhanced buying enthusiasm across the Prairies. Strength in deferred live cattle futures appeared to offset strong feed grain values. Yearling prices were rather soft through […]

Klassen: Cold weather slows feeder cattle market activity

Feb. 15, 2021 at 9:59 pm CST

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Lower U.S. calf crop spurs buying interest

Feb. 9, 2021 at 5:47 am CST

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Feeder market bounces on optimistic outlook

Feb. 2, 2021 at 1:13 am CST

By Jerry Klassen

Students get chance to ‘adopt’ a calf

Jan. 29, 2021 at 9:35 am CST

By Barb Glen

Klassen: Feeder cattle demand improving

Jan. 26, 2021 at 4:51 am CST

The feeder market received a shot of adrenaline last week as corn futures came under pressure while live cattle futures surged. During the first half of the week, western Canadian yearlings were quite sluggish and calf prices steady to $3 lower compared to seven days earlier. Some yearling packages moving […]

By Jerry Klassen

Ontario calls off final intake for beef set-aside

Jan. 20, 2021 at 2:48 am CST

Ontario has called off the last intake for its federal/provincial beef cattle set-aside program. The Beef Emergency Feed Maintenance Initiative, an AgriRecovery program launched after the temporary shutdown of Cargill’s beef slaughter plant at Guelph, was to have its “final potential intake week” opening Monday (Jan. 18), for cattle to […]

By Dave Bedard

Klassen: Feeder cattle market in price-discovery phase

Jan. 18, 2021 at 9:40 pm CST

Compared to last week, Alberta feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged while Manitoba and Saskatchewan prices were down $2 to as much as $5 in some cases. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $248-$250, up $4-$5 from last week. Strength in the […]

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Higher feed grain prices continue to pressure feeders

Jan. 12, 2021 at 2:19 am CST

Compared to mid-December, western Canadian yearlings traded $3-$5 lower; mid-weight calves are down $4-$6 while calves under 550 lbs. remained firm. Buyers exhibited a defensive tone on heavier yearlings and discounts were more severe on fleshier cattle last week. There is absolutely no risk appetite for 850-plus-lb. cattle at this […]

By Jerry Klassen

Cattle set-aside programs winding down

Jan. 11, 2021 at 4:18 am CST

AgriRecovery programs set up in Saskatchewan and Alberta to help cover feed costs for cattle producers unable to ship livestock to slaughter are gearing down, while Ontario’s program begins a third intake. Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. announced Friday that the province’s AgriRecovery set-aside program will end March 31, 2021, with […]

By Dave Bedard