Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of April 5, 2021

Fed cattle sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average steer and heifer price, but the market tone was lower. Dressed sales and bids were reported from $240-245/cwt delivered, steady to $10/cwt lower than the previous week. Based on bids and sales, Alberta fed prices have gone from a premium to the US market to a discount. Western Canadian fed slaughter for the week ending March 27^th totaled just over 40,000 head, 13% smaller than last year. This is the first time this year that fed slaughter volumes have been below the previous year.  

Last week the Canfax average feeder steer price closed the week mostly steady while heifer prices were $2/cwt lower. Heifer calves and light weight stockers traded $2-4/cwt lower. Steers weighing over 700 lbs traded steady to $0.50/cwt higher. Western Canadian calf and feeder indices closed the week at $217.49/cwt and $188.46/cwt respectively. Alberta weekly auction volumes totaled just over 19,000 head. Canadian feeder cattle exports to the US for the week ending March 20^th totaled 1,802 head.

Last week Alberta D2 cow prices traded $1.25/cwt lower and live trade reported from $78-94/cwt. Last week D3 cows averaged $77.50/cwt. Butcher bulls traded $1.25/cwt higher to average $106/cwt and live trade was reported from $90-125/cwt. Canadian butcher bull exports to the US for the week ending March 20^th totaled 590 head.

Bull.

• Based on the five-year average, Alberta fed basis levels historically strengthen from March to April
• US Choice and Select cutout values are at new annual price highs
• Easter is traditionally a ham holiday but retail beef featuring has been quite strong

Bear.

• In Western Canada, slaughter plants have scaled back slightly due to Covid concerns 
• Western Canadian fed cattle prices are below the five-year and ten-year averages
• For the end of February US beef in cold storage is above last year

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