Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of June 29, 2026

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $355/cwt live, $3.50/cwt higher than the previous week. From a seasonal perspective, the market should be in the process of putting in annual highs. Alberta fed prices are trading at a $10/cwt (live) premium over the Eastern Canadian market. Competition on the cash market was somewhat limited last week with one packer buying most of the cattle. Dressed sales in Alberta were from $591.50–$595.00/cwt FOB the feedlot. Cattle that traded would be picked up in 1–2 weeks. Last week’s Alberta fed cash-to-futures basis was reported at -6.94, weaker than the three-year basis of +4.13.

Strengthening deferred live cattle contracts and lower feed grain prices have been supportive to the calf and feeder market. Last week, the Canfax feeder steer and heifer price closed the week $11–$24/cwt higher. Week over week, the largest price jump was on heifer calves and light weight stockers. With recent rains in Northern Alberta, grass conditions are in great shape, and grass buyers were back on the market looking at adding a few more cattle to their summer pastures. Last week, B.C., AB and SK steers weighing from 600–699 pounds for October delivery traded from $668–$688/cwt, with a weighted average price of $683/cwt based at 647 pounds, roughly $20+/cwt higher compared to late May/early June. Alberta auction volumes were just over 12,000 head, 13,000 head smaller than last year. Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S. for the week ending June 13th totaled 3,442 head.

Last week, Alberta D2 cows traded $2/cwt higher averaging $253/cwt with a range from $222–$272/cwt. D3 cows averaged $235/cwt. Butcher bulls traded $8/cwt higher, averaging $290/cwt, with a range from $234–$327/cwt. Canadian slaughter bull exports to the U.S. for the week ending June 13th totaled 885 head, the largest weekly export volume since last fall.

Bull

• The Canadian dollar is trading at the lowest point in 14 months; the weaker Canadian dollar should support Canadian beef exports.
• Choice rib values have strengthened in recent weeks and are 14 per cent higher than last year.
• U.S. steer by-product values are the highest since September 2022.

Bear

• For the middle of June, Western Canadian fed slaughter was the smallest since 2015.
• Workers at the Fort Morgan beef processing plant have been on strike for over a month.
• In seven out of the past 10 years, Western Canadian fed prices have declined from June to July.