Canfax

Many feedlots have indicated a large percentage of their cattle for the first quarter of this year are contracted and cash numbers will be light. With packers having a large percentage of their cattle procured via contracts, cash leverage has been limited and this trend might continue over the next couple of months. Over the…

In Alberta last week, the weighted average price was $219/cwt live, down $1.60/cwt from the previous week. Dressed trade was reported from $362-363/cwt FOB, $3.75-7.00/cwt lower. Heifer trade was too light to establish a weekly trend. Steer carcass weights in the West last week were 983 lb, re-establishing a new all-time high and were two…

Average retail beef prices have finally turned lower after trending counter-seasonally higher through the summer. If seasonal trends play out for the remainder of 2023, retail beef prices will decline a significant 7 per cent in October, rebound 10 per cent in November, then decline 12 per cent in December. Retail prices (stewing cuts, striploin…

Alberta steers averaged $374-$377/cwt FOB last week, $6-7/cwt lower than the previous week’s tone. Live weighted average prices in Alberta were steady to $4/cwt lower than the previous week’s tone, with steers at $225/cwt. Packers appear well positioned with cattle moving through December. Delivery dates are well into the new year. Steer carcass weights in…

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average fed price. Last week, dressed sales and bids were reported from $378-383/cwt delivered, $2/cwt lower than the previous week. Tentatively fed cattle prices are at the lowest point since April. From a supply perspective, fed calf supplies have started to wind down, while yearling numbers…

Alberta fed prices continued to trend contra seasonally lower last week on waning cash market leverage. The bulk of trade was reported dressed from $380-385/cwt delivered, steady to $5/cwt lower than previous week rail bids. Light live trade was also reported at $226/cwt freight on board (FOB) the feedlot. Weighted average steer prices eased $1.46/cwt…

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average fed price, but the market tone was steady to slightly lower. Last week dressed sales and bids were marked at $385/cwt delivered. Cattle that traded were being scheduled for early January delivery. Competition on the cash market has been limited, in some instances packers were…

Following 12 weeks of static pricing, average Alberta fed steer prices slipped to a 28-week low. A combination of negative packer margins, increased formula price commitments, and concerns of recessionary reduced demand, all contributed to softer North American fed cattle prices. Scattered light dressed trade was $3-5/cwt lower than the previous week from $385-387/cwt delivered,…

Sale volumes were too light to establish a weighted average fed price, but the market tone was steady. Dressed sales and bids were marked at $390/cwt delivered. Light volumes of Western Canadian fed cattle were marketed into the U.S. These cattle were committed to the U.S. packer on a formula price. Last week the Alberta…

The Alberta fed market has now been range bound for 10 straight weeks and prices once again trended sideways. Dressed sales were marked at $390/cwt delivered and thin reported live trade was generally comparable. The weighted average steer price closed the week at $232.53/cwt. Heifer trade was limited and a weekly price trend was not…