Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of November 29, 2021

Last week the Canfax fed heifer price closed around $160/cwt, $5/cwt higher than the previous week. This is the highest fed prices have been since June. Last week dressed sales were reported at mostly $270/cwt delivered. With weaker basis levels many producers passed bids and a decent portion of last week’s cash offering will be carried over. U.S. buying interest on the western Canadian cash market was quiet.  

Canfax average feeder steer and heifer prices closed $0.50-1.00/cwt lower than the previous week. Light weight calves saw the largest price decline, dropping $5-6/cwt. Alberta 5-700 lb steers and heifers traded $1.00-2.50/cwt higher. Heifers over 800 lb traded fully steady and prices are averaging $2/cwt higher than last year. All classes of calves are trading below last year. Western Canadian calf and feeder indices closed the week at $198.76/cwt and $187.21/cwt respectively. Alberta weekly auction volumes totaled just over 44,000 head last week. Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S. for the week ending November 13^th totaled 2,964 head.

Alberta D2 cows traded $3/cwt higher last week and live trade was reported from $62-74/cwt. D3 cows averaged $57.75/cwt. Butcher bulls traded $0.25/cwt higher to average $96/cwt and live trade was reported from $85-111/cwt. Canadian butcher bull exports to the U.S. for the week ending November 13^th totaled 754 head.

Bull.

• August 2022 live cattle futures are the highest since 2015.
• In western Canada, in nine out of the past 10 years fourth quarter price highs for fed cattle have been set in December .
• Butcher cow prices have rallied $7/cwt over the past two weeks,

Bear.

• Labor negotiation between Cargill and the union is ongoing, the latest offer was rejected.
• A new COVID-19 variant in South Africa has put world markets on edge.
• Alberta fed prices are at a sizable discount to the U.S.

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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