Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of July 28, 2025

Alberta fed prices averaged in the high 290s/cwt, despite season pressure, prices have increased over the past couple weeks. Dressed bids and sales were reported from $495.00-$503.00/cwt delivered (mostly $500.00/cwt delivered). Competition on the cash market was mixed, and U.S. interest was quiet. Cattle that traded were scheduled for delivery from mid-August to early September.

Last week, Alberta auction volumes were 22,091 head, 41 per cent higher than last year. Electronics sales accounted for 78 per cent of the volume at 17,260 head, the second largest in the last decade, behind only 2023. Feeder cattle prices continue to be impressive despite lighter volumes through auction facilities. Canfax average feeder steers and heifers closed the week $8/cwt and $7/cwt stronger respectively. The nearby feeder cattle contract closed to day $331.37/cwt, up $25.35/cwt from the start of the Month. The latest outlook for principal field crop project that Lethbridge feed barley and Chatham corn for the 2025/26 crop year will both to be down $10.00/tonne, mostly due to pressure from US corn prices.

Last week, Alberta D2 cows average $220/cwt, full steady, while D3 cows average $202.00/cwt, $3.00/cwt higher. Butcher bulls and feeder cows traded $1.00-$4.00/cwt softer. Since the low in April, 90 per cent lean trim on the spot market is up around $44.00/cwt, with lower week-over-week increase over the past couple weeks. Moisture across the Prairies have been reported spotty, with some dry areas remaining.

Bull

• Feeder market remains strong, with heavier feeder rallying
• Latest outlook for principal field crop projected lower feed grain prices
• Fed prices are within $3.00/cwt of annual highs

Bear

• Spotty moisture conditions across the prairies
• Light slaughter rates continue to be a concern
• U.S. packer interest has remained quiet on the Western Canadian cash market despite historically weak basis levels