Current Markets & Forecasts

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,…

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…

Canfax fed steer and heifer prices closed the week around $157/cwt, $0.25/cwt lower than the previous week. Last week dressed sales were reported from $262.00-263.50 FOB lot. Cattle that traded last week were being booked for late October/early November delivery. All three western Canadian packers procured cattle. Alberta fed cash to futures basis levels strengthened…

Over the past month fed prices have traded mostly sideways averaging from $156-158/cwt. On a cash to cash basis, Alberta fed prices have moved back to a premium against the U.S. market. Active trade was reported with all three Western Canadian packers buying cattle last week. Dressed sales were reported from $264-266/cwt delivered, and cattle…

Canfax fed steer and heifer prices closed the week around $157/cwt, $0.50/cwt lower than the previous week. Last week dressed sales were reported from $260.00-263.50 FOB lot. Cattle that traded last week were being booked for late September/early October delivery. On a cash-to-cash basis, Alberta fed prices are trading at a slight premium against the…

The dominant topic in the cattle markets through the summer has been the weather. The drought, and resulting lack of grass, water, feed and record high feed costs have many on edge as they look at marketing strategies for their calves, and possibly even some breeding stock. The wide spread drought across the prairies resulted…

Fed cattle prices have now strengthened for five weeks in a row. Most dressed sales last week were reported from $264.00-265.50/cwt delivered and cattle that traded were being scheduled anywhere from the second half of September to early October delivery. After trading at a discount to the U.S. market for the past nine weeks, Alberta…

Canfax fed steer and heifer prices closed the week around $155.50/cwt, $1/cwt higher than the previous week. Fed prices have trended higher for four straight weeks. Last week dressed sales were reported from $259.75-261.50 FOB lot. Cattle that traded last week were being booked anywhere from the middle to late September. Alberta fed cash to…