Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of May 12, 2025

Alberta fed prices established new highs trading in the low $290s/cwt. Dressed sales were reported from $490-$493/cwt delivered; $3/cwt stronger than the previous week. Buying interest was noted from three Western Canadian packers. Cattle that traded were scheduled from immediate to June delivery. For the week ending May 2nd, the Canadian weekly steer carcass weight was reported at 905 pounds, 54 pounds below the annual high set in the first week of the year. Meanwhile, heifer carcass weights continued to hover near annual high at 874 pounds.

Last week, Canfax average feeder steers and heifers closed the week $6/cwt and $5/cwt stronger respectively. Most classes of cattle traded higher, and prices continue to hover at or near record high levels. Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S. were strong during the first quarter of the year; but exports slowed considerably in April. For week ending 26th, Canadian feeder cattle exports at 460 head were down from 4,144 head last year, with Western Canadian feeder prices trading at a premium to the U.S. Feeder exports volumes are expected to remain below year ago levels throughout the second quarter.

Last week, butcher cows traded $5-8/cwt higher through commercial auction facilities. The non-fed market has been impressive, and to a certain degree, has outperformed the fed market with Alberta cow prices being the highest in North America. For the week ending May 2nd, Western Canadian cow slaughter was just over 4,600 head, the smallest weekly volume seen this year. YTD cow slaughter is down 10 per cent compared to last year.

Bull

• Fed prices establishing new record highs
• Alberta cow prices are the highest in North America
• According to Statistics Canada, as of March 31st, total barley stocks were down 0.2 per cent compared to last year at 3.1 million tonnes. Barley exports in 2025 are up 7.7 per cent compared to the previous year

Bear

• U.S. steer carcass weight is 47 pounds heavier than the five-year average at 946 pounds and 16 pounds away from the annual high
• For the week ending April 26th, Western Canadian fed slaughter total 35,000 head, 9 per cent lower than last year. YTD Western Canadian fed slaughter is down 70,000 head compared to a year ago.
• Western Canadian packers continue to run reduced hours