Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of June 22, 2026

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $352.50/cwt live, $3.50/cwt higher than the previous week. Fed cattle prices established new highs. This is the sixth consecutive year that first-half price highs have been established in June. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers with dressed sales ranging from $586–$589/cwt FOB the feedlot. Cattle that traded would be picked up anywhere from 1–6 weeks. Last week’s Alberta fed cash-to-futures basis was reported at -4.98, which remains weaker than the five-year average.

Last week, the Canfax feeder steer and heifer price closed the week steady to $3/cwt lower. Steers weighing over 900 pounds saw prices rebound and are back to within $5/cwt of their highs set back in May. Week over week, the largest price drop was on 5–600 pound steers and heifer calves. Steer calves are trading at the lowest point since April. The forward delivery calf market was lightly tested. B.C., AB and SK steers weighing from 500–599 pounds for October delivery traded from $710–$750/cwt with a weighted average price of around $737/cwt based at 558 pounds. Forward delivery calf prices are at a premium over the spot market. Alberta auction volumes were just over 22,000 head; year-to-date auction volumes are down 4 per cent. Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S. for the week ending June 6th totaled 3,023 head.

Over the past few weeks, there has been an uptick in non-fed volumes through commercial auction facilities, but prices continue to hold up well. Last week, Alberta D2 cows traded steady averaging $252/cwt with a range from $210–$278/cwt. D3 cows averaged $229/cwt. Butcher cow prices have moved sideways for the past month. Butcher bulls also traded steady, averaging $282/cwt, with a range from $220–$330/cwt. Canadian slaughter bull exports to the U.S. for the week ending June 6th totaled 668 head.

Bull

• Canadian beef exports in April were 19 per cent larger than last year. Year-to-date exports are up 2 per cent in volume and 9 per cent in value.
• USDA’s June 1st cattle on feed report should be viewed as slightly bullish as placements came in below expectations.
• Canadian beef retail prices are 15 per cent higher than last year.

Bear

• Late last week, JBS announced the planned closure of the beef production facility in Souderton, Pennsylvania. This is expected to have an impact on the Eastern Canadian fed market.
• U.S. pork cutout values are trading 20 per cent below last year.
• Western Canadian fed slaughter volumes remain historically small.