Insights and Stories on Beef

May. 27, 2025 at 2:09 pm CDT

Improving feedlot margins contributed to the stronger feeder market. Alberta packers were buying finished cattle on a dressed basis at $500/cwt delivered which was fresh record high. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $300/cwt. Feedlot breakeven pen closeouts are in the range of $260-$270/cwt. Feedlots are anxious to reload and larger groups of quality packages are limited at this time of year.

By Jerry Klassen

May. 20, 2025 at 10:09 am CDT

For the week ending May 16, Western Canadian feeder markets were steady to $6 higher on average compared to seven days earlier. Heifers were relatively unchanged but steers were notably stronger, especially on replacements over 800 pounds.

By Jerry Klassen

May. 15, 2025 at 9:26 am CDT

Lab results have confirmed that cattle in northwestern Saskatchewan died of anthrax.

By Jeff Melchior

May. 13, 2025 at 10:21 am CDT

For the week ending May 10, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher on average. Quality packages of lighter calves were priced $10-$15 above week ago levels. Many auction barns are only holding sales every two or three weeks at this time of year with limited numbers on offer. This made the market hard to define in certain weight categories.

By Jerry Klassen

May. 6, 2025 at 10:13 am CDT

For the week ending May 2, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. The heifer discount to steers continues to narrow. Steady buying interest from Ontario was noted in Manitoba and certain locations in Saskatchewan.

By Jerry Klassen