For the week ending Oct. 4, western Canadian grass yearling markets traded steady to $5-$8 per hundredweight lower on average compared to seven days earlier.
Backgrounded yearlings were down $5-$12 per cwt.
Calf markets were down $5-$10 per cwt. from a week earlier.
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There was an influx of calves over the past week, which resulted in the softer tone to the overall feeder complex. The highs are likely in place for the feeder market.
The weaker fed cattle market and softer deferred live cattle futures contributed to the lower bids for all weight categories. Feedlot operators are concerned that margins will be in negative territory for the spring and summer of 2026 so they’re lowering bids for replacements.
At the VJV Ponoka sale, a small package of mixed (exotic) steers off grass with full processing data averaging 1,015 pounds traded for $457 per cwt. The TEAM video auction had 55 red heifers with a mean weight of 1,012 lb. off grass valued at $429 per cwt. f.o.b. Picture Butte, Alta.
A rancher reported that 45 Angus cross yearling steers off grass averaging 950 lb. sold for $465 in central Alberta. The Team video auction had a group of 200 black steers with a base weight of 925 lb. on silage ration targeting 2.2 lb. per day selling for $461 f.o.b. feedlot for March 15, 2026, delivery.
The VJV Dawson Creek market report had Simmental steer calves evaluated at 885 lb. off cows and grass on the full herd health program priced at $489 per cwt.
The St Rose Auction Mart report had a smaller package of black yearling grass fed steers averaging 813 lb. trading for $564 per cwt. The Killarney Auction had a small package of Angus steers weighing 785 lb. valued at $587 per cwt.
In central Alberta, a smaller package of larger frame, yearling Simmental cross heifers off grass averaging slightly more than 800 lb. reportedly moved off farm at $484 per cwt.
Northern Livestock Sales at Lloydminster reported that a package of 16 tan steer calves weighing 708 lb. sold for $584 per cwt. A farmer in central Alberta reported that 700-lb. Charolais Simmental cross weaned heifer calves traded for $535 at a ring sale.
At the Vermillion Livestock Exchange ring sale, a group of 34 Charolais steers averaging 602 lb. were last bid at $645 per cwt.; Charolais heifers scaled at 632 lb. reportedly sold for $567 per cwt.
The Team Auction Market Video Sale had black steers with a mean weight of 550 lb. with full processing data but no implants trading for $720 f.o.b. farm near Elkhorn, Man., for delivery Feb. 4, 2026.
Northern Livestock Sales at Prince Albert had a smaller group of Charolais bawling steers scaled at 504 lb. let out of the ring at $735 per cwt.
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $508-$516 per cwt. delivered, down $9-$12 from last week. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $305-$309 per cwt.
Wholesale Choice beef closed at US$368 per cwt. This is down $40 per cwt. from the August high. Beef demand appears to be slowing, which is resulting in lower wholesale beef prices and weaker cattle prices.
The Canadian dollar appears to be weakening, which is supportive for the fed and feeder markets. The Bank of Canada lowered its benchmark rate Sept. 17 from 2.50 per cent to 2.25 per cent.
It appears the financial markets are factoring in another rate cut of 25 basis points Oct. 29. Weaker economic growth along with the growing unemployment rate will result in Canadian dollar depreciation against the U.S. greenback.
We’re estimating the barley crop at nine million tonnes, up from 8.1 million tonnes last year. The harvest has wrapped up and the market appears to be stabilizing. Merchants were offering barley at $252-$255 per tonne delivered Lethbridge for October and $258-$260 per tonne for November.
