Current Markets & Forecasts

This past year has been a challenging one with high feed prices. Severe drought in the U.S. corn belt and the Midwest U.S., as well as global food concerns due to the Russia/Ukraine conflict, resulted in record high prices barley prices this spring when prices touched $475/tonne in May. A brief reprieve occurred in July…

Alberta dressed sales last week were reported from $304-305/cwt delivered. Cattle that traded were being scheduled for the second half of January’s delivery. Light volumes of Alberta cattle traded to the U.S. at USD $236/cwt delivered. Sales to the U.S. were at a $5-6/cwt live premium over local deals. For the week ending December 11th,…

Western Canadian-fed prices have been steady for the past seven weeks, while Ontario and U.S. prices continue to advance. December is traditionally a strong month for the fed cattle market. However, enthusiasm has been muted by smaller fed slaughter volumes during the second half of this year and historically long pick-up times. Last week, dressed…

The Canfax fed steer and heifer price closed the week around $182.25/cwt, a couple dollars higher than the previous week. Last week, dressed sales were reported from $302.00-302.50/cwt FOB the lot. Cattle were being scheduled for the first half of January delivery. Light volumes of Alberta-fed cattle traded to the U.S. Depending on freight and…

The seasonal shift of leverage from the packer to the cattle feeder has not materialized, as packers continue to have the upper hand on the market. Packers were also limiting the amount of cattle they were buying from each producer. Dressed sales ranged from $304-305/cwt, $1-4/cwt higher than the previous week. Cattle were being booked…

Alberta fed prices have been disappointing relative to the U.S. market and a historically weak fed basis. Last week’s cash market did however establish new annual price highs. Dressed sales were reported at $304/cwt delivered, with cattle being scheduled for mid-December delivery. U.S. packer interest was quiet with no reported trade going south. For the…

The Canfax fed steer and heifer price closed the week at $181/cwt, $1/cwt higher than the previous week. Last week, dressed sales were reported from $300.00-300.50/cwt FOB the lot. Pick up dates were all over the map depending on which packer bought the cattle. Cattle were being scheduled anywhere from late November to mid-December delivery….

Dressed sales last week were mostly reported at $302/cwt delivered. Cattle that traded were scheduled for late November/early December delivery. Light volumes of Alberta cattle traded to the U.S.; depending on freight and dressing percentage, cattle were working back to the $186/cwt area FOB the lot. Sales to the U.S. were at a premium over…

Cattle on feed numbers have started to tighten with smaller placements in June and July, resulting in the August 1st inventories being below year ago levels for the first time in over a year. While they remain above the five-year average, fed cattle marketings are expected to tighten throughout the second half of the year…