Current Markets & Forecasts

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…

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…

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…

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…