Insights and Stories on Finishers

Klassen: Seasonal strong beef demand supports feeder market

Mar. 7, 2017 at 8:01 am CST

Wholesale beef values have experienced a significant rally over the past couple of weeks, which has spilled over into the fed cattle trade. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $274 on a dressed basis, up $2-$4 from week-ago levels. Despite the strength in the fed cattle and healthy margin […]

Klassen: Healthy margins drive feeder complex

Feb. 28, 2017 at 10:48 am CST

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Feeder cattle drop on cautious feedlot demand

Feb. 20, 2017 at 9:33 pm CST

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Tenacious feeder market softens on supply forecasts

Feb. 14, 2017 at 4:22 pm CST

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Feeder cattle markets digest USDA inventory report

Feb. 6, 2017 at 8:12 pm CST

By Jerry Klassen

U.S. December feedlot cattle placements hit six-year high

Jan. 27, 2017 at 6:38 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. feedlots brought in 18 per cent more cattle in December than the year-earlier month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday, which topped forecasts and reached a six-year high for that month. Higher prices for slaughter-ready, or cash, cattle last month improved profit for […]

By Theopolis Waters

Klassen: Feeder cattle market stable for year end

Dec. 28, 2016 at 10:46 am CST

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded steady with week ago levels. The winter storm forecasted over the holiday season had little influence on buyer behaviour. Limited volumes were noted at most auction barns with many off for the holiday season. However, the market appeared to hold value with feedlot margins […]

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Feeder cattle resume upward trend

Dec. 20, 2016 at 3:42 pm CST

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices resumed the upward trend after a brief dip during the first major snowstorm of the year. Feeder cattle weighing above 750 lbs. traded $2-$4 above week-ago levels while calves were readily selling for $4 to as much as $8 higher. Optimism abounds in the feedlot […]

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Feeder cattle jump on positive outlook

Nov. 22, 2016 at 11:55 am CST

Average prices for steer and heifer calves jumped $8-$10 this past week with some buyers reporting values as much as $15 above week-ago levels. Feedlot operators could feel it in their bones earlier in November and there were no strings attached on orders flowing across the Prairies. Favourable weather reinforced […]

By Jerry Klassen

Major Alberta cattle feeder set to shut feedlots

Sep. 21, 2016 at 2:59 pm CDT

Reuters — One of Canada’s biggest cattle feeding operations, Western Feedlots, said Wednesday it will close feeding operations after marketing the cattle it currently owns, due to poor market conditions. Closure of Western’s feeding operations, likely early in 2017 once its current cattle are sold, will make it more difficult […]

By Rod Nickel