Current Markets & Forecasts

Last week the Canfax fed heifer price closed around $158.25/cwt, $2/cwt lower than the previous week. Both major packers were not bidding on fed cattle last week, reported cash sales went to a couple smaller plants in Alberta. Last week dressed sales were reported from $258.50-268.50/cwt FOB lot. Cattle that traded last week were being…

The market heading into 2022 looks positive, but unfortunately, high feed costs have taken a bite out of calf and feeder prices. The fall cattle market had its share of challenges. Ample fed supplies kept fed prices relatively flat to start the fourth quarter, cow prices hit some of the lowest prices in over 10…

South Korea has lifted its temporary suspension of Canadian beef imports. The suspension was imposed in December, after an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was identified in Alberta. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau calls it “great news for our cattle sector, who provide the world with safe, high-quality beef.” The regulations…

It was a disappointing week for the western Canadian fed market with prices declining $6-7/cwt. Fed cattle prices are $6/cwt higher than last year but $8/cwt lower than 2020 and $5/cwt lower than 2019. Competition on the cash market was limited with one packer not bidding. Dressed sales ranged from $260-262/cwt delivered, and cattle that…

Last week the Canfax fed steer and heifer prices closed around $161.25/cwt, $4/cwt lower than the previous week. Packers seem to have a lot of January contract cattle around them which moderated interest on the cash market.  Last week dressed sales were reported from $268.00-275.75/cwt FOB lot. Cattle that traded were being scheduled for late…

Moderate volume Alberta cash trade developed the week before Christmas with the bulk of sales reported fully steady with the previous week from $276-278/cwt delivered. Weighted average steer prices closed the week at $165.53/cwt and cattle were scheduled three to five weeks out. Western Canadian fed slaughter for the week ending December 18th was 7%…

Last week the Canfax fed steer and heifer prices closed around $163.75/cwt, $1.25/cwt higher than the previous week. Alberta fed prices are $27/cwt higher than last year and $15/cwt higher than the five-year average. Last week dressed sales were reported from $273.50-275.50/cwt FOB lot. Most of the cattle that traded were being scheduled for late…

The excitement around the Western Canadian fed market pales in comparison to what has occurred in the U.S. with prices there gaining $13/cwt over the past five weeks and trading at the highest levels since September 2015. Alberta fed prices are estimated at a $16/cwt discount to the Nebraska market, the weakest basis seen this…

Last week the Canfax fed heifer price closed around $160/cwt, $5/cwt higher than the previous week. This is the highest fed prices have been since June. Last week dressed sales were reported at mostly $270/cwt delivered. With weaker basis levels many producers passed bids and a decent portion of last week’s cash offering will be…

It was another week of steady prices for the western Canadian market, but prices lost ground to the U.S. market. Alberta fed prices are now estimated at around a $10.50/cwt discount to the Nebraska market and basis levels are the weakest in one year. With barley prices setting new annual highs and feedlot space tight…