This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca.
Fed prices shy of record highs
The western Canadian fed market continued to hover around its record-high prices during the week ending Aug. 8.
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Alberta fed steers eased $0.72 per hundredweight lower to close the week at $301.12 per cwt. Fed heifer prices softened by $1.18 per cwt., ending the week at $297.85 per cwt.
Canfax analysts noted just how uncommon it is for the fed cattle market to strengthen during the summer. Only once in the past 50 years has an annual high been set during August (2008).
Even with historically strong prices, the Alberta fed market is at a significant discount to both the Ontario and U.S. markets.
Recently, Alberta fed prices were trading at a discount of about $35-$38 per cwt. against the Nebraska market, which was the weakest basis since 2005.
All western Canadian packers showed buying interest during this week, and light trade was reported. Dressed sales were in the range of $500-$505 per cwt. delivered, and cattle were scheduled for delivery from late August to the second half of September.
Light volumes of western Canadian fed cattle from Western Canada were also marketed to the U.S.
There have been reports throughout the summer of western Canadian fed cattle being shipped to Ontario for slaughter.
In Ontario, dressed were reported at $527 per cwt. delivered, steady with the previous week.
Light volumes fed cattle from Eastern Canada were marketed to the U.S. Sales south of the border were working back to the mid $320s per cwt. f.o.b. the feedlot, depending on freight and dressing percentage.
Non-fed prices mixed
The Alberta non-fed market was mixed during the week ending Aug. 8, with feeder cow prices strengthening by $11 per cwt. and rail grade cow prices rising by $5-$10 per cwt.
On the other hand, D2 and D3 cows were steady with the previous week, averaging $216 per cwt. and $199.17 per cwt., respectively. Butcher bulls eased $3.50 per cwt. lower from the previous week.
In July, Alberta D2 cows averaged $221 per cwt., up $32 per cwt. from 2024 and $95 per cwt. above the five-year average.
Alberta D3 cows averaged $204 per cwt. in July, up $30 per cwt. from 2024 and $91 per cwt. above the five-year average.
In Ontario, D2 and D3 cow prices dropped by $4-$7 per cwt., closing the week at $215.83 per cwt. and $178 per cwt., respectively.
Despite this, Ontario cull cows are within $5-7 per cwt. of their annual and all-time highs.
In July, Ontario D2 cows averaged $217 per cwt., up $43 per cwt. from 2024 and $84 per cwt. above the five-year average.
Ontario D3 cows averaged $178 per cwt. in July, up $35 per cwt. from 2024 and $79 per cwt. above the five-year average.
Feeder market performing well
Canfax average feeder steers closed the week ending Aug. 8 $0.04 per cwt. lower than the prevous week , while heifers were up $13.30 per cwt. from the previous week .
Heifers of all weight classes drew strong interest. The largest gain was seen in heifers weighing 500-600 pounds, rising $28.39 per cwt. this week to averaged $518.83 per cwt.
Auction volumes in Alberta were 15,985 head, eight per cent below this time last year.
July auction volumes were 71,773 head, up 18 per cent from 2024 and 27 per cent above the five-year average.
The nearby feeder cattle contract was reported at $339.40 per cwt., dropping $9.25 per cwt. after a five-day rally.
Canadian feeder cattle exports to the United States for the week ending July 26 were 2,511 head, 19 per cent above last year’s volumes.
Year-to-date exports are 93,928 head, steady with 2024.
Cut-out prices soar
U.S. cut-out prices rose during the week ending Aug. 8, with Choice rising to $17.50 per cwt. Select prices increased by $12.25 per cwt. from the previous week.
Since their most recent lows, Choice cut-out prices have climbed by $18 per cwt., while Select cutouts have climbed by $13 per cwt.
The Choice-to-Select spread was $25 per cwt. This is $9 per cwt. wider than this time last year and $5 per cwt. wider than the five-year average.
