Magnifying Glass

AB Direct - Steers

Live: ---
Rail: ---

AB Direct - Heifers

Live: ---
Rail: ---

US Trade- Steers

Live: 225.00 (KN), 235.00 (IA)
Rail: ---

US Trade - Heifers

Live: 225.00 (KN), 235.00 (IA)
Rail: ---

Canadian Dollar

$73.33
0.04

Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of July 7, 2025

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $296.75/cwt live, $1/cwt lower than previous week. Fed prices have declined for three consecutive weeks. Light trade was reported last week with dressed sales reported from $494.50-498.50/cwt FOB the feedlot. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers. Cattle that traded were being scheduled anywhere from late July to mid-August delivery. U.S. packer interest on the Western Canadian fed market was quiet last week. Last week, the Alberta fed cash-to-futures basis was reported at +$10.24/cwt, for the beginning of July, this is the second strongest basis on record, the only year that was stronger was in 2018.

Auction volumes in BC, AB, SK, and MB were too light to establish an average feeder price this week. However, based on late-week auction and electronic sales, the cash market tone looked steady and forward delivery calf prices looked steady to a little stronger. Last week, trading via electronic there was a good offering of heavier weight feeder steers, and all these feeders were coming out of the background lots. AB/SK steers weighing from 975-1075 pounds traded from $381-392/cwt. Looking at the feed grain market, new crop barley prices are holding around $290/tonne, prices have declined $5-10/cwt over the past couple of weeks. Alberta auction volumes were just over 10,000 head, 4,000 head larger than last year. Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S. for the week ending June 21st totaled 1,466 head.

Last week, Alberta D2 cows traded $1/cwt higher, averaging $227/cwt with a range from $210-258/cwt. D3 cows averaged $213.50/cwt. Cow prices are $4/cwt shy of their highs set back in early June. Butcher bulls traded $1/cwt higher, averaging $247/cwt, with a range from $201-300/cwt. Canadian butcher bull exports to the U.S. for the week ending June 21st were 574 head.

Bull

  • Western Canadian steer carcass weights are the smallest they have been since the summer of 2023
  • Both U.S. 50 per cent and 90 per cent trim prices have been impressive
  • For the month of June, Western Canadian cow slaughter was 13 per cent below last year and 22 per cent below the five-year average

Bear

  • Moving past the July 4th holiday beef cutout values seasonally start to move lower
  • In May, Canadian beef exports to the U.S., Japan, South Korea were below last year
  • Seasonally packers gain leverage over the cattle feeder heading into the summer months

Leave a Comment

About the Author

For over 50 years, Canfax has provided expert analysis of markets and trends in the ever-changing North American beef industry. In this new millennium, cattlemen, feedlot managers, and agri-business professionals will continue to rely on up-to-the-minute information as an essential tool for maximizing profit in today’s beef sector. Whether your operation needs to plan for three hours or three years into the future, Canfax delivers timely, accurate information for 21st Century cattle industry professionals. Those interested in becoming Canfax members can sign up on the website at www.canfax.ca.

Author

Cattle Report

Updated: 09/07/2025

Steers

Live: ---
Rail: ---

Heifers

Live: ---
Rail: ---

Choice Steers

Live: 225.00 (KN), 235.00 (IA)
Rail: ---

Choice Heifers

Live: 225.00 (KN), 235.00 (IA)
Rail: ---

Boner Cows

Over 500 lbs: 292.17

Canadian Dollar

$73.33   0.04

Livestock Price Insurance Index

Expiry Fed Feeder Calf
25-Aug-25 274 398 --
22-Sep-25 270 398 458
20-Oct-25 264 394 454
17-Nov-25 260 388 450
15-Dec-25 260 378 446
9-Feb-25 260 376 454
Last Updated on May 29, 2025