Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of May 16, 2022

Last week, Canfax fed steer and heifer price closed around $171.75/cwt, $2/cwt higher than the previous week. The last time fed prices averaged over $170/cwt was back in June 2017. Last week dressed sales were reported from $285.00-288.50/cwt FOB the lot. Cattle that traded last week were being scheduled for the first half of June delivery. Alberta fed cash to futures basis are the strongest since October. Western Canadian fed slaughter for the week ending May 7 totaled just over 42,000 head, 5% larger than last year.

Canfax average feeder steer price closed the week $0.50/cwt higher, while heifers strengthened $2.50/cwt. Heifers weighing over 800 lb traded $3/cwt higher and are at the highest point in late January/early February. Last week Alberta 6-700 lb steers and heifers traded $1-3/cwt stronger and are $9/cwt higher than last year. The western Canadian calf index closed the week at $221.98/cwt. Alberta weekly auction volumes totaled just over 19,000 head, 4,000 head larger than last year. Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S. for the week ending April 30 totaled 4,241 head.

Alberta D2 cows traded fully steady last week, and live trade was reported from $95-116/cwt. D3 cows averaged $93.25/cwt. Butcher bulls traded $4/cwt lower to average $121.50/cwt and live trade was reported from $98-140/cwt. Canadian butcher bull exports to the U.S. for the week ending April 30 totaled 785 head, 5% larger than the same week last year.

Bull.

• For the first quarter of 2022, Canadian beef exports are 10% larger than last year.
• U.S. pork retail price in April set new record highs.
• According to Statistics Canada, frozen and chilled beef stocks are down 13% compared to April 1, 2021 .

Bear

• U.S. Choice beef cutout values have struggles as of late and prices are hovering close to annual lows.
• From Friday to Friday, August and October live cattle contracts dropped 300-375 points.
• YTD Alberta fed prices have been trading at a $15/cwt discount against the Nebraska market, the weakest since 2014.

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.

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