Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of June 30, 2025

Alberta fed prices have a modest pullback over the past couple of weeks, but prices continue to remain historically strong, and basis levels have also strengthened. Fed prices closed the week trading in the high $290s/cwt. Dressed sales were reported from $498.00-$503.00/cwt delivered. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers. U.S. interest was quiet this week. Cattle that traded were scheduled from immediate to the second half of July delivery to first half of August. Western Canadian fed slaughter for the week ending June 21st, was just over 40,000 head, 5 per cent below last year, big part of the reason is due to fewer heifers entering the slaughter mix. YTD heifer slaughter is down 17 per cent compared to last year.

Last week, Alberta auction volumes were 20,883 head, the third consecutive week that weekly volume have put in new highs for the past decade. Electronic sales have run above 20,000 head each month except for April, when tariff uncertainty caused temporary halt. For the first half of 2025, electronic sales are at an all time high of 201,216 head, 37 per cent higher than the previous record set in 2023. Canfax average feeder steer and heifer closed the week $4.04/cwt and $1.51/cwt higher respectively. Steers 550/850 pounds are right back at record high levels, while heifer 550/850 pounds are trading just slightly below their highs.

Last week, Alberta D2 cows average $226/cwt, $4/cwt softer, while D3 cows average $210/cwt traded $1.00/cwt lower. Both D2 and D3 cow prices remain $38-$42/cwt higher than last year. Feeder cows were $7/cwt softer, while butcher bulls traded $1/cwt stronger. This past week’s rain that fell across a portion of the Prairies arrived just in time to rejuvenate pastures and hay ground.

Bull

• Record forward delivery sales had a sizable premium against the current cash market
• Western Canadian fed slaughter for week ending June 21st is down 5 per cent from last year
• Stronger fed basis

Bear

• From a seasonal perspective, the fed market is fighting an uphill battle as 17 out of the past 25 years, fed prices have declined from June to July
• Canadian Prime/AAA grading was reported at 70 per cent, lowest percentage for the year
• YTD feeder exports are a modest 1 per cent above last year, and are now the smallest since January