A group of cattle on a summer pasture stare at the camera from about 10 or 15 feet away.

Feeder market consolidates near historical highs

There appeared to be larger feeder cattle volumes on offer this week with the looming potential U.S. tariffs set for April 2

For the week ending March 21, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Prices continue to hover near or at historical highs.



A cow buries its face in feed in a concrete bunk at a feedlot.

Feeder market falls after U.S. tariffs announced

The market remained subdued last week even after the Americans announced they were postponing the tariffs until April 2

Once the U.S. implemented the blanket 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian products (excluding energy, which was 10 per cent) on March 4, feeder cattle markets dropped by $10 to $15 per hundredweight on average.

Feeder cattle running though a laneway at an auction.

Feedlots anticipate lower supplies this spring

Many cow-calf producers sold cattle in December and January, which may reduce available numbers in March and April

For the week ending Feb. 28, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher on average compared to seven days earlier.


Cattle eating hay from a concrete bunk in a feedlot.

Feeder market recovers on healthy margins

Some western Canadian feeders prepare for tariffs by shipping to U.S. feedlots, while others take a business-as-usual approach

For the week ending Feb. 22, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $5 higher on average compared to seven days earlier.

Feeder cattle eating hay in a feedlot.

Feeder market softens while waiting on tariffs

Healthy margins have supported prices, but profitability could quickly turn negative in March if tariffs are implemented

For the week ending Feb. 15, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4 to $8 lower on average, compared to the week ending Feb. 1.




A herd of black cattle push their way to the feed trough in the foreground.

Delayed U.S. tariffs support feeder complex

Fears that the U.S. would implement a tariff on feeder cattle ignited concerns that the market would drop sharply

For the week ending Jan. 25, western Canadian feeder markets were quite variable, trading $5-$10 on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Prices for calves weighing less than 600 pounds were variable as adverse weather resulted in risk discount in certain regions. Producer selling increased over the past couple of weeks, and […] Read more