What We’re Reading | Klassen: Drought conditions spur on fall cattle run

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News
Contributor, Alberta Farmer Express

Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder yearling prices were relatively unchanged; calves traded $2 to $5 lower. The fall run has started. Drought like conditions have caused many ranchers to sell cattle 30 to 45 days earlier than normal. Steers averaging 900 pounds were readily trading in the range from $185 to $190; steers weighing 800 to 850 pounds were quoted from $185 to $200. Larger strings traded at a $3 to $4 premium over small groups. While there may have been some heat stress, the quality of cattle coming on the market was excellent.

Many yearlings have been fed hay or silage for the past month.  In some cases, groups fresh off grass sold at a slight premium.

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‘What We’re Reading’ is a quick look at some of the issues and insights Alberta Beef Producers’ content creators and editors are reading to stay up-to-date, to broaden perspectives, and to explore issues relevant to the agriculture industry.