Western Canadian yearling prices traded back up to historical highs over the past week while calf markets made fresh highs at many locations.
For the week ending Oct. 18, western Canadian yearlings off grass traded $5-$10 higher on average compared to seven days earlier. Steer calves in the weight range of 550-825 pounds traded $8-$12 per cwt. higher on average, while heifers were steady to $10 per cwt. higher. Calves lighter than 550 lb. were quite variable, trading $10 per cwt. to as much as $20 per cwt. higher compared to the week ending Oct. 11.
The TEAM auction market report had a pen-sized package of mixed steers with Charolais influence off grass diet with full health records and implants averaging 1,025 lb. selling for $450 per cwt. f.o.b. ranch for near Indian Head, Sask., for immediate delivery.
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A rancher southwest of Edmonton reported that a larger package of Angus cross yearling heifers off pasture with full processing data and implants with a mean weight of 975 lb. traded for $435 per cwt. f.o.b. ranch.
A farmer in central Alberta reported that mixed steers on backgrounding ration with full processing weighing 950 lb. sold for $500 per cwt. f.o.b. farm for January 2026 delivery.
At the St Rose Auction, a group of 11 Charolais mixed steers (off grass) averaging 814 lb. sold for $543 per cwt. At the Killarney sale, a smaller package of Charolais steers averaging 805 lb. dropped the gavel at $551 per cwt.
At the Ponoka ring sale, a group of 36 Simmental cross Red Angus steers off cows and grass averaging 725 lb. with full processing records silenced the crowd at $594 per cwt.
The Prince Albert market report had a group of 29 tan steers weighing 604 lb. selling for $627.
At the VJV Westlock sale, 15 black steers weighing slightly more than 600 lb. with full health records off cows and grass diet traded for $640 per cwt.
On the TEAM video sale, a group of 60 Angus-based steers averaging 510 lb. with full processing records and implants straight off their mothers sold for $751 per cwt. f.o.b. ranch near Bashaw, Alta.
At the St Rose Auction, a smaller group of black and red bawling steers averaging 382 lb. reached 922 per cwt. Their lighter brothers, scaled at 348 lb., overwhelmed the crowd, touching $982 per cwt.
Canadian feeder cattle prices have been at a premium to U.S. values, which has tempered buying interest from south of the border. This past week, Canadian and U.S. values were relatively equal for similar quality cattle, which was supportive.
Ontario buyers were fairly active across Western Canada for all weight categories.
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $505 per cwt. delivered, down $2-$3 per cwt. from a week earlier.
Fed cattle traded on a live basis in southern Alberta at $302-$304 per cwt.
For April delivery, Alberta packers were showing bids on a dressed basis in the range of $558-$562 per cwt. delivered for a live basis at $339 per cwt. delivered.
Alberta feedlot margins have improved for January through April 2026 and are fluctuating around breakeven. This has contributed to the recent strength in the feeder complex.
In Alberta and Saskatchewan, cattle on feed 150 days or more as of Oct. 1 were 237,749 head, down two per cent, or 4,840 head, from last year.
Feedlots are fairly current with production, but the nearby fed cattle basis has deteriorated because packing margins are struggling. Wholesale beef prices remain under pressure.
Consumer spending at grocery stores appears to be easing in Canada. I noticed last week that one grocer had extra lean ground beef on sale at a sharp discount to regular prices.
Beef isn’t moving as readily on the retail shelf, with overall food inflation running at four per cent year over year in September, up from the 3.5 per cent increase in August.
