Current Markets & Forecasts

It was another tough week for the cattle feeder. Leverage has shifted out of feedlots’ hands toward the packing segment. In some cases, feedlots were looking to book hook space. Others were negotiating for a flat price with no heavy weight carcass discounts. Lift time continued to stretch out. Weighted average steer and heifer prices…

This is the time of the year where fed prices generally grind lower. However, this week’s break is notable for its magnitude. Weighted average steer prices were just north of $340/cwt, $13/cwt or 3.7 per cent lower than last week. This was the largest week-over-week decline since early 2022. Weighted average heifer prices were at…

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $350/cwt live, $6/cwt lower than the previous week. Western Canadian prices have moved to a discount against the Eastern Canadian market. Packer competition on the cash market has moderated; in some instances, packers were limiting the amount of cattle they were buying from each producer….

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $355/cwt live, $3.50/cwt higher than the previous week. From a seasonal perspective, the market should be in the process of putting in annual highs. Alberta fed prices are trading at a $10/cwt (live) premium over the Eastern Canadian market. Competition on the cash market was…

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…

After trending higher over the past five months, fed prices seem to have leveled off. Western Canadian fed prices continued to trade on either side of $350/cwt, hovering near record highs. From a seasonal perspective, leverage continued to favour the cattle feeder. On the flip side, packers continued to manage seasonally tighter numbers by scaling…

Alberta fed steer and heifer prices closed the week at $351 and $350/cwt respectively, steady to $2/cwt lower than the previous week. Dressed sales were reported from $580–$590/cwt delivered, steady with the previous week. Packers were looking for quick delivery cattle. Most of the sales this week were calves, though there were some late yearlings…

Alberta fed steers and heifers made new highs last week. Seasonally, fed prices are expected to make a summer peak in the coming weeks. Dressed sales were reported stronger than the previous week. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers. Cattle were scheduled for first half of June to mid-July delivery. U.S. interest…