Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of June 16, 2025

Alberta fed prices begin to level off while Eastern fed prices continue to advance higher. Over the past couple weeks Western Canadian fed prices have been averaging on either side of $300.00/cwt. From a basis perspective, the market has been a little disappointing with Alberta fed prices at a $30.00/cwt discount against the Nebraska market. For the first half of June, this is one of the weakest basis levels on record. Dressed sales were reported at mostly $502.00-504.00/cwt delivered. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers. U.S. interest was supportive this week as well, but no sales were confirmed. Cattle that traded were scheduled from immediate to the first half of July delivery.

Last week, Alberta auction volumes totaled 42,992 head, more than triple the volume for the same week last year and the largest for the same period in the past twenty years. YTD electronic sales are at 177,238 head, the largest in the last twenty years. Canfax average feeder steers closed the week $1.40/cwt stronger, led by heavier 7-900 pound plus steers. Heifers finished the week $5.10/cwt higher, with a strong rally from 3-500 pound calves. For the week ending May 31st, Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S. were 996 head, down 71 per cent from last year. Weekly exports continue to run well below year-ago levels since the second week of April. YTD weekly feeder exports to the U.S. have fallen by 23 per cent since the first week of May

Last week, Alberta D2 cows averaged $229.00/cwt, $1.80/cwt softer, while D3 cows averaged $210.00/cwt, traded $1/cwt stronger. Feeder cows and butcher bulls traded $3.00-8.00/cwt stronger than the previous week, both averaging $248.00/cwt. For the month of May, Alberta D2 cows were priced at 77 per cent of a fed steer, above the previous high set in May 2011, 2014, and 2015. For the last decade, the average for May is at 64 per cent.

Bull

• For the week ending June 6th, cattle slaughter is down 7 per cent
• Ontario fed prices continue to advance
• In May, Alberta D2 cows priced at 77 per cent of a fed steer, well above the ten-year average of 64 per cent

Bear

• Alberta fed prices are at a $30.00/cwt discount against the Nebraska market
• Dry conditions across part of the prairies remain a concern
• Lethbridge barley and wheat continue to trade at annual high levels