Current Markets & Forecasts

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average fed price. It was a disappointing week as both Ontario and U.S. fed prices were stronger than the western Canadian fed market. Dressed bids/sales were reported steady with two weeks ago. Most of the cattle on offer were passed with some cattle being reallocated to…

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average fed price, but the market tone was steady. Last week dressed sales and bids were reported $362-365/cwt delivered. U.S. packer interest was noted but no cash sales were confirmed. The few cattle that traded were scheduled for March delivery. Tentatively Alberta fed cash-to-futures basis did…

Many feedlots have indicated a large percentage of their cattle for the first quarter of this year are contracted and cash numbers will be light. With packers having a large percentage of their cattle procured via contracts, cash leverage has been limited and this trend might continue over the next couple of months. Over the…

In Alberta last week, the weighted average price was $219/cwt live, down $1.60/cwt from the previous week. Dressed trade was reported from $362-363/cwt FOB, $3.75-7.00/cwt lower. Heifer trade was too light to establish a weekly trend. Steer carcass weights in the West last week were 983 lb, re-establishing a new all-time high and were two…

The Canfax fed steer price closed the week around $221/cwt, $4/cwt lower than the previous week. All three Western Canadian packers bought cattle but competition on the cash market was somewhat disappointing. In some instances, packers were limiting the amount of cattle they were buying from each producer. Last week, dressed sales were reported from…

Average retail beef prices have finally turned lower after trending counter-seasonally higher through the summer. If seasonal trends play out for the remainder of 2023, retail beef prices will decline a significant 7 per cent in October, rebound 10 per cent in November, then decline 12 per cent in December. Retail prices (stewing cuts, striploin…

Alberta steers averaged $374-$377/cwt FOB last week, $6-7/cwt lower than the previous week’s tone. Live weighted average prices in Alberta were steady to $4/cwt lower than the previous week’s tone, with steers at $225/cwt. Packers appear well positioned with cattle moving through December. Delivery dates are well into the new year. Steer carcass weights in…

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average fed price. Last week, dressed sales and bids were reported from $378-383/cwt delivered, $2/cwt lower than the previous week. Tentatively fed cattle prices are at the lowest point since April. From a supply perspective, fed calf supplies have started to wind down, while yearling numbers…

Alberta fed prices continued to trend contra seasonally lower last week on waning cash market leverage. The bulk of trade was reported dressed from $380-385/cwt delivered, steady to $5/cwt lower than previous week rail bids. Light live trade was also reported at $226/cwt freight on board (FOB) the feedlot. Weighted average steer prices eased $1.46/cwt…