Current Markets & Forecasts

Following 12 weeks of static pricing, average Alberta fed steer prices slipped to a 28-week low. A combination of negative packer margins, increased formula price commitments, and concerns of recessionary reduced demand, all contributed to softer North American fed cattle prices. Scattered light dressed trade was $3-5/cwt lower than the previous week from $385-387/cwt delivered,…

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average fed price, but the market tone was steady. Dressed sales and bids were marked at $390/cwt delivered. Light volumes of Western Canadian fed cattle were marketed into the U.S. These cattle were committed to the U.S. packer on a formula price. Last week the Alberta…

The Canfax fed steer and heifer price closed the week around $232.75/cwt, $0.50/cwt higher than the previous week. Fed cattle prices are $52/cwt higher than last year. Competition on the cash market was decent, with all three Western Canadian packers buying cattle. Last week, dressed sales were reported from $387.75‑389.50/cwt FOB the lot. Cattle that…

Alberta fed steer prices climbed week over week for almost the entire first half of 2023, with only two of 26 weeks where prices slipped from the previous week. New all-time high prices near $248/cwt (live) were established in June. However, since the beginning of July and through the entire month of August, fed steer…

Light Alberta cash trade saw dressed prices fully steady with the previous week at $390/cwt delivered. Weighted average steer prices closed the week fully steady at $232.80/cwt. Following previous large heifer marketings, heifer trade was limited last week, and a price trend was not established. All major packers procured cattle, and delivery dates varied from…

The Canfax fed steer price closed the week at around $231.75/cwt, $0.50/cwt lower than the previous week. Alberta fed prices have averaged in the low $230s/cwt for the past six weeks. Competition on the cash market was decent with all three Western Canadian packers buying cattle. Last week, dressed sales were reported from $387‑388.50/cwt FOB…

Welcome to another edition of The Bovine! On this episode, you’ll hear from Ryan Copithorne, rancher and owner of Cows In Control Inc., on what’s happening in the cattle market, plus cautions and opportunities to keep an eye out for this fall. This episode was recorded this summer at the 2023 Canadian Beef Industry Conference…

The Canfax fed steer price closed the week at around $232/cwt, $0.50/cwt higher than the previous week. Last week, dressed sales were reported from $386.75‑387.50/cwt FOB the lot. Cattle that traded were being booked for the first half of October delivery. Alberta fed cash‑to‑futures basis levels weakened going from -$10.48/cwt to -$17.84/cwt. For the beginning…

Light dressed trade saw prices steady to $2/cwt lower than thin trade seen the previous week from $388-390/cwt delivered. Light live trade was comparable from $230-231.25/cwt. Weighted average steer prices trended steady, with scant trade seen previously closing the week at $231.76/cwt. Scattered light heifer trade was not repeatable, and a weekly price trend was…

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average Alberta fed price, but the market tone was steady to weaker. From their highs in June, fed prices have dropped 6%. Competition on the cash market was limited, as packers seem to have a lot of cattle around them. Last week, dressed sales/bids ranged from…