Current Markets & Forecasts

Statistics Canada (StatsCan) has released its latest report on Canadian livestock inventories. As of January 1, 2024, Canadian cattle, hog, and sheep inventories were down compared with the same date one year earlier. According to StatsCan, Canadian farmers held 11.1 million cattle and calves on their farms on January 1, 2024, which is down 2.1…

There wasn’t enough trade for Alberta fed cattle last week to establish a price, but rail sales were stronger than previous week, and heifer prices softened. Canadian fed cattle and cow exports to the US for week ending February 10th were 21 per cent higher compared to last year and are up 2 per cent…

The western Canadian fed market had another disappointing week, and continues to underperform relative to the U.S. and Ontario markets. Dressed sales are reported slightly higher compared to last week. Small volumes of western Canadian fed cattle were marketed into the U.S. The Alberta fed cash-to-futures basis is the weakest for early February in over…

In Alberta last week, the weighted average fed steer price was $217.50/cwt live. Dressed sales were reported from $360-$365/cwt delivered. Dressed sales were not only steady with the previous week but prices have been steady for the past month. Cattle that traded were being scheduled anywhere from the second half of February to the second…

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average fed price. It was a disappointing week as both Ontario and U.S. fed prices were stronger than the western Canadian fed market. Dressed bids/sales were reported steady with two weeks ago. Most of the cattle on offer were passed with some cattle being reallocated to…

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average fed price, but the market tone was steady. Last week dressed sales and bids were reported $362-365/cwt delivered. U.S. packer interest was noted but no cash sales were confirmed. The few cattle that traded were scheduled for March delivery. Tentatively Alberta fed cash-to-futures basis did…

Alberta fed prices closed last week at $218.75/cwt, $0.50/cwt lower compared to the second half of December. Over the past couple of years, January has not necessarily been the friendliest month for the cattle feeder. Last week, buying interest was noted from all three Western Canadian packers, however, competition on the cash market was limited…

Many feedlots have indicated a large percentage of their cattle for the first quarter of this year are contracted and cash numbers will be light. With packers having a large percentage of their cattle procured via contracts, cash leverage has been limited and this trend might continue over the next couple of months. Over the…

In Alberta last week, the weighted average price was $219/cwt live, down $1.60/cwt from the previous week. Dressed trade was reported from $362-363/cwt FOB, $3.75-7.00/cwt lower. Heifer trade was too light to establish a weekly trend. Steer carcass weights in the West last week were 983 lb, re-establishing a new all-time high and were two…