Current Markets & Forecasts

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $295/cwt live, $2.50/cwt lower than the previous week. Fed cattle prices have shifted to be below year-ago levels. This is the first time since the spring of 2021 that fed prices have traded below previous-year levels. Feedlots are facing record high breakevens for the balance…

Canada’s cattle herd continues to grow in 2026, with inventories reaching their highest level in years as producers retain more breeding animals and calf numbers increase. According to Statistics Canada’s July Livestock Estimates report, released August 27, 2026, there are 12.1 million cattle and calves on Canadian farms as of July 1, up 3.2 per…

This is the time of the year where fed prices generally grind lower. However, this week’s break is notable for its magnitude. Weighted average steer prices were just north of $340/cwt, $13/cwt or 3.7 per cent lower than last week. This was the largest week-over-week decline since early 2022. Weighted average heifer prices were at…

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $350/cwt live, $6/cwt lower than the previous week. Western Canadian prices have moved to a discount against the Eastern Canadian market. Packer competition on the cash market has moderated; in some instances, packers were limiting the amount of cattle they were buying from each producer….

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $355/cwt live, $3.50/cwt higher than the previous week. From a seasonal perspective, the market should be in the process of putting in annual highs. Alberta fed prices are trading at a $10/cwt (live) premium over the Eastern Canadian market. Competition on the cash market was…

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $352.50/cwt live, $3.50/cwt higher than the previous week. Fed cattle prices established new highs. This is the sixth consecutive year that first-half price highs have been established in June. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers with dressed sales ranging from $586–$589/cwt FOB…

After trending higher over the past five months, fed prices seem to have leveled off. Western Canadian fed prices continued to trade on either side of $350/cwt, hovering near record highs. From a seasonal perspective, leverage continued to favour the cattle feeder. On the flip side, packers continued to manage seasonally tighter numbers by scaling…