Current Markets & Forecasts

In Alberta last week, fed steers and heifers both traded steady at the mid to high $250s/cwt. There was good competition among packers throughout the week. Dressed sales remain steady at $430-432/cwt delivered; with cattle traded being scheduled for pick up in one to two weeks. Alberta cash-to-futures basis is $9/cwt stronger than last week…

In Alberta last week, weighted average fed steer and heifer prices closed the week around $257/cwt live, $1.50/cwt higher than the previous week. Since the beginning of the year, fed cattle prices have rallied 15 per cent. Competition on the Western Canadian market was good with all three Western Canadian packers procuring cattle. Cattle that…

In Alberta last week, weighted average fed steer and heifer prices closed the week around $249.25/cwt live, $6/cwt higher than the previous week. Fed cattle prices established new record highs. Competition on the Western Canadian market was good with packers actively making inquiries for cattle. Last week, a stronger price tone was noted from Wednesday…

Canada’s food and beverage manufacturers face a mix of obstacles and optimism for profit margin improvements in the year ahead, according to the latest FCC Food and Beverage Report. After hitting a record $165 billion in food and beverage manufacturing sales last year, 2024 is expected to see sales moderate in sync with slowing inflation and…

Global animal feed production remained steady in 2023 at 1.29 billion metric tons (BMT), a slight decrease of 2.6 million metric tons (MMT) — or 0.2 per cent — from 2022’s estimates, according to the 2024 Agri-Food Outlook, released by Alltech. The annual survey, now in its 13th year, includes data from 142 countries and more…

In Alberta last week, fed steer and heifer prices closed at $242-244/cwt live, up $5-6 from the previous week. Dressed sales were reported from $400-415/cwt delivered. This brought fed prices back to the historical high observed in June 2023. There was good packer interest and cattle traded are expected to be delivered within one-to-two weeks,…

In Alberta last week, weighted average fed steer and heifer prices closed the week around $237.50/cwt live, $4.25/cwt higher than the previous week. Fed cattle prices are at the highest point since July, and are currently $10/cwt shy of their record highs set back in June 2023. Last week, dressed sales were reported from $397.00-398.50/cwt…

Alberta fed price last week had light trade; steers were down $1/cwt and heifers up $4.75/cwt. Cash sales to the U.S. were in the upper $230’s/cwt FOD the feedlot, steady with last week and premium over local deals. The cash basis at -$25/cwt is the weakest since last February, and continues to encourage exports south….

In Alberta last week, weighted average fed steer and heifer price closed the week on either side of $230/cwt live, steer prices were stronger than the previous week, while heifer prices were lower. Last week, dressed sales were reported from $378.50-388.50/cwt FOD the feedlot. Lift times were all over the map, depending on which packer…

Alberta fed price last week had a strong performance, up $2-10/cwt on the rail. But the cash-to-futures basis remains $8/cwt weaker than the five-year average. Western Canadian steer carcass weight were 60 pounds heavier than the five-year average. Canadian fed cattle and cow exports to the U.S. have been running above year-ago level since the…