Klassen: Western Canadian calf prices ratchet higher

For the week ending January 24, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10/cwt decrease to $10/cwt greater in comparison with seven days earlier.

The market was fairly variable relying on flesh circumstances and genetic high quality. Costs for backgrounded yearlings or fall positioned calves have been regular to $5 greater on bigger packages on managed weight achieve diets; nevertheless, smaller teams of fleshier replacements appeared to mirror bigger reductions of $10-$15/cwt this previous week. Bigger packages of preconditioned, vaccinated, weaned calves have been quoted $10- $15/cwt above week-ago ranges.

Extra livestock protection: Excess capacity of U.S. beef-processing sector will continue

Pulse Weekly: Spike in yellow peas slowing

Although the price increases for Canadian yellow peas have started to slow, there could be more of the peas planted come spring, said Kress Schmidt, broker with Johnston Grains in Calgary.

Alberta packers have been shopping for fed cattle on a dressed foundation within the vary of $505-$508/cwt, delivered, unchanged from final week. Utilizing a 60 per cent grading, reside costs have been quoted from $303/cwt to $305/cwt. For late January and February, Southern Alberta breakeven pen closeout values are within the vary of $320-$325/cwt so feedlot margins are underneath water by $20/cwt.

The TEAM public sale market report had 970 pound Simmental Angus cross steers weaned in October with full processing knowledge and implants on barley and corn silage food regimen priced at $467 fob ranch close to Bentley for supply February 2-5. A producer northeast of Calgary reported a gaggle of huge huge body Limousin cross heifers with a imply weight of 950 kilos with full processing knowledge on gentle barley and forage food regimen moved off the farm at $425/cwt.

The Ste Rose Public sale Mart reported at group of bigger body, medium to decrease flesh, Simmental cross steers averaging 822 kilos offered for $516/cwt. On the Killarney Public sale Mart, a bundle of 13 black heifers weighing 804 kilos traded for $439/cwt. The heifer low cost to steers was extra extreme this previous week, particularly in the event that they have been fleshier cattle.

On the Ponoka sale, crimson blended, weaned, steers averaging 705 kilos with decrease flesh on forage food regimen with full preconditioning offered for $579/cwt. The Vermillion market report included a gaggle of six tan heifers evaluated at 705 kilos exited the ring at $527/cwt.

Extra markets protection: India and Europe reach free trade deal

On the Lloydminster sale, a gaggle of 15 black steers with a imply weight of 601 kilos dropped the gavel at $646/cwt. On the identical sale, a gaggle of twenty-two black heifers scaled at 606 kilos have been final bid at $566/cwt.

The Westlock market report included a smaller bundle of Angus cross Gelbvieh vaccinated and weaned, steer calves averaging 520 kilos silenced the crowed at $743/cwt. The Gladstone market highlights included 30 black heifers chalked at 472 kilos notched the board at $670/cwt.

From July by December 2025, U.S. feedlot placements have been 10.606 million head, down 932,000 head from the identical interval of 2024. The U.S. slaughter within the first half of 2026 shall be down sharply from final yr which ought to improve fed cattle values in Alberta and enhance feedlot margins.