Current Markets & Forecasts

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…

The dry weather this summer certainly impacted many producers’ marketing and winter feeding plans, but there was also some welcome moisture relief earlier this fall that took pressure off cow culling and allowed for a bit more orderly fall run of calves. That said fall offerings are larger, as less producers are backgrounding their calves…

Last week the Canfax fed steer and heifer prices closed around $155.50/cwt, the market tone was steady with the previous week. Fed cattle prices have trended sideways for the past few months. Since the start of July fed cattle prices have ranged from $150-158/cwt. Last week dressed sales were reported from $258.50-261.50/cwt FOB lot. Most…

Alberta fed bids started off at $257/cwt delivered and by Wednesday afternoon/Thursday, bids/sales were reported in the $261-262/cwt area delivered to the plant. Dressed bids/sales were anywhere from steady to $5/cwt higher than the previous week. Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average price trend last week. For the month of October…

By Alex McCuaig The pricing impact of this year’s drought on Canada’s ranchers is starting to be felt as western Canadian cattle begin their journey off the range and into the markets. For Alberta Beef Producer chair Melanie Wowk, this year’s fall run will see more cows heading to market than usual due to the drought….

Canfax fed steer and heifer prices last week were around $153/cwt, $2.50/cwt lower than the previous week. This is the lowest fed prices have been in nine weeks. Dressed sales were reported from $254-256/cwt FOB lot. Cattle that traded last week were being booked for the second half of November delivery. On a cash-to-cash basis,…

The fed price tone softened as the week progressed and dressed sales were reported from $260-265/cwt delivered last week. A few producers opted out and carried cattle over into this week. Cattle that traded were scheduled for the end of November delivery. Alberta fed cash to futures basis against the nearby October live cattle contract…

Canfax fed steer and heifer prices closed last week around $156.50/cwt, fully steady with the previous week. Fed cattle prices are $21/cwt higher than last year. Last week dressed sales were reported from $260.50-263.50 FOB lot. Cattle that traded last week were being booked for the middle of November delivery. For the week ending October…

Western Canadian fed prices have chopped sideways for the past six weeks with prices ranging from $156-158/cwt. Western Canada has not been alone as eastern Canadian and US prices have also maintained a steady price trend. Dressed sales were reported from $263-265/cwt delivered, cattle were being scheduled for the week of November 1st and 8th…