Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of July 14, 2025

Alberta fed prices averaged in the mid $290s/cwt, despite the slight pullback, fed prices are within $5.00/cwt of their highs set back in June. Dressed sales were reported from $495-$500/cwt delivered. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers. Cattle that traded were scheduled for delivery throughout August. Over the past couple of weeks, Both Western Canadian slaughter volumes and fed cattle shipments to the U.S. have increased. In the near term, timely marketings will be critical to limit downside price risk, as fed cattle supplies seasonally increase during the third quarter.

Last week, Aberta auction volumes were 11,887 head, 60 per cent higher than last year and steady with the five-year average. With a seasonally lighter run, lightweight feeders came under pressure, while heavyweight feeders traded stronger. Cow-calf pairs put in annual highs this week averaging $5,945 per pair. The nearby feeder cattle contract closed Friday at $325/cwt, up $19/cwt from the start of July. The U.S. has once again closed their borders to Mexican feeder cattle after opening for a couple of days, due to New World Screwworm. For the week ending July 4th, Lethbridge barley averaged $302/tonne, $15/cwt softer than two weeks ago and is currently the lowest since March.

Last week, Alberta D2 cows average $221/cwt, $5/cwt softer, while D3 cows averaged $208/cwt, $6/cwt lower. Railgrade cows were ranging from $420-$430/cwt, steady with the previous week. For the week ending July 5th, Western Canadian cow slaughter was 4,500 head. YTD, Western Canadian cow slaughter is down 11 per cent from last year and down 12 per cent from the five-year average.

Bull

• Feed grains prices have come under pressure. The June USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report projected global barley production in 2025/2026 at 145.97 million tonnes, up 2.5 million tonnes from last year
• The nearby live cattle and feeder cattle contract put in new highs
• Cow-calf pairs put in annual highs averaged $5,945 per pair

Bear

• Pasture conditions in all regions across Alberta remains below the five-year average
• Fed cattle supply seasonally increase during the third quarter
• Alberta cash-to-future basis was -$2.18/cwt, $5.02/cwt weaker than the five year average