During the last week of July, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier.
Yearlings off grass weighing more than 900 pounds were very strong and may have been up $3 to $5 from the previous week.
Volumes were limited, and many auction barns are on summer holidays. However, there were a few feature sales last week that set the overall tone.
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Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at an average price of $500 per hundredweight delivered. Live cattle bids f.o.b. feedlot in southern Alberta were reported in the range of $294-$295 per cwt.
Current break-even pen-closeout values are in the range of $275-$280 per cwt.
Feedlot margins remain in positive territory, which continues to be the main factor supporting the feeder complex.
The Dryland Cattle Auction Market Report in Veteran, Alta., had black steers averaging 1,100 lb. off grass selling for $384 per cwt. and 972 lb. steers off grass trading for $430. At the same sale, black heifers weighing 968 lb. were valued at $390. The Ponoka Market Report had red mixed heifers averaging 1,013 lb. off grass selling for $382.
At the Virden Auction Market in Manitoba, medium to larger frame Charolais cross steers weighing 808 lb. off grass were quoted at $490 per cwt. At the same sale, red and black mixed steers off grass with a mean weight of 715 lb. reportedly sold for $542.
In the Moosomin, Sask., region, a pen of larger frame, black mixed, lower flesh, heifers weighing slightly more than 800 pounds on silage and supplement ration with controlled weight gain were bid at $425 per cwt. f.o.b. backgrounding lot.
In central Alberta, a smaller package of tan heifers averaging slightly more than 700 lb. reportedly sold for $445 per cwt.
The Westlock Market Report in Alberta had a pair of red mixed steers weighing 652 lb. trading for $527.
North of Calgary, a smaller package of tan heifers weighing 510 lb. reportedly sold for $503.
The Dawson Creek market report in northeastern British Columbia had an eight-pack of black steer calves averaging slightly less than 500 lb. valued at $620.
The DLMS Market Report had a larger group of 625 lb. steer calves trading hands at $560 per cwt. northeast of Edmonton.
Near Lanigan, Sask., a pen-sized group of 500 lb. steers was quoted at $659. In southern Alberta, beef calves 10 days old are selling for $1,200.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Semi-Annual Cattle Inventory Report estimated the 2025 calf crop at 33.1 million head, down 429,500 head from the 2024 calf output.
Some analysts are estimating the Canadian barley crop at nine million tonnes, up from 8.1 million tonnes last year. U.S. corn production has potential to reach over 410 million tonnes, up from the 2024 harvest of 378 million tonnes.
Lower feeder cattle supplies and larger feedgrain production will keep the feeder market well supported during the main fall run.
