Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of July 13, 2026

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $350/cwt live, $6/cwt lower than the previous week. Western Canadian prices have moved to a discount against the Eastern Canadian market. Packer competition on the cash market has moderated; in some instances, packers were limiting the amount of cattle they were buying from each producer. Cattle that traded were being scheduled for delivery through the month of August. Dressed sales in Alberta were from $573.75–$589.00/cwt FOB the feedlot. Western Canadian fed slaughter for the month of June was the smallest since 2015. Historically light slaughter volume continues to be a concern.

Auction volumes were light last week, making it tough for buyers to assemble load lots. That aside, demand for bunk replacements and grass cattle remains strong. Compared to two weeks ago, the largest price jump was on lighter weight steer calves weighing from 4–500 pounds, with prices up $22/cwt. Over the past month, 850 pound steer and heifer prices are up $10–$12/cwt. Steers set new highs while heifers are just shy of their highs back in late May. Alberta auction volumes were just over 8,000 head, 2,000 head smaller than last year. This is the smallest auction volume seen this year. Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S. for the week ending June 27th totaled 3,663 head.

Last week, Alberta D2 cows traded $2/cwt higher, averaging $257/cwt with a range from $216–$280/cwt. D3 cows averaged $233/cwt. Butcher bulls traded $4.50/cwt higher, averaging $293/cwt, with a range from $226–$320/cwt. Canadian slaughter bull exports to the U.S. for the week ending June 27th totaled 1,010 head, the largest weekly export volume since August 2024.

Bull

• Last week, Alberta fed prices were at a $2/cwt premium compared to the Nebraska market, the strongest basis seen this year.
• Averaging 961 pounds, U.S. steer carcass weights are the smallest they have been this year.
• Canadian beef exports for the month of May were 19 per cent larger than last year.

Bear

• Western Canadian fed cattle prices have likely peaked.
• Lean hog contracts have been under pressure; the December lean hog contract is trading a couple of dollars shy of contract lows.
• Choice cutout values are trading at the lowest point since mid-April.