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 steady
Canadian fed prices have trended mostly steady over the past month, averaging in the low $230s per hundredweight. Market ready numbers have been manageable.
Packers continue to run lighter hours. Since the start of July, western Canadian fed slaughter is down 32,500 head compared to last year. In addition, Canadian slaughter cattle exports to the U.S. have been running below last year for the better part of summer.
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Canfax cattle market report – September 4, 2025
The Canfax cattle market report for September 4, 2025. Fed & feeder cattle prices, butcher cow trends, and cutout market insights.
Last week’s dressed sales were reported at $389 per cwt. delivered, steady with the previous week.
For the week ending Sept. 2, western Canadian steer carcass weights averaged 931 pounds. For the start of September, this is the second largest carcass weight on record. With larger carcasses coming down the line, there has been a higher percentage of yield grade 4 and 5 cattle.
In Ontario, dressed sales were reported at $389 per cwt. delivered, fully steady with the previous week. During summer, Ontario fed prices usually move to a premium against the western Canadian market, but that has not been the case this year.
U.S. lean trim prices continue to rally, setting new record highs. This should support the cow market and also support the fed complex.
In the U.S. last week, dressed sales in Iowa and Nebraska ranged from US$288-$294 per cwt., steady to $1 per cwt. lower than the previous week. Live sales in Nebraska ranged from $182-$184 per cwt., fully steady. Sales in Texas and Kansas were from $179-$180 per cwt., steady to $1 stronger.
U.S. beef exports for July were 22 percent lower than last year. Less beef was shipped to Japan (-37 percent), China (-35 percent) and South Korea (-26 percent). U.S. beef imports in July were 18 percent larger than last year.
Cow prices drop
Non-fed prices are trending seasonally lower as auction offerings increase. Alberta D2 slaughter cow prices slipped more than $4 per cwt. lower than the previous week to average $143.50 per cwt. and D3 cows eased more than $3 lower to $129.17 per cwt.
Dressed cow bids realigned around $10 per cwt. lower to $275-$280 per cwt. delivered. Butcher bull prices were $1.25 per cwt. lower than the previous week to average $157.25 per cwt.
Western Canadian non-fed slaughter for the week ending Sept. 2 was three percent larger than the previous week at 7,089 head and year-to-date was eight percent larger, totaling 252,820 head.
Inflation continues to pressure food prices higher. Cash strapped consumers are downgrading from middle meats to grind and trim.
Feeder prices rise
Alberta feeder prices firmed higher again last week and calf prices were the strongest on record. Calves less than 500 lb. saw the largest week over week price gains, while larger calves over 600 lb. eased modestly lower.
Alberta calves up to 700 lb. continued to see a marked premium for deferred October/November delivery. Large feeders over 800 lb. to place against the first quarter fed market saw continued good demand and prices trended steady to $2.50 per cwt. higher.
Due to the Labour Day holiday, weekly auction volumes were 36 percent lower than the previous week at 28,943 head and were 24 percent lower than the same week last year. Year-to-date auction volumes are 22 percent larger than year ago, totaling 947,725 head.
Canadian feeder exports to the U.S. for the week ending Aug. 26 were 34 percent smaller than the previous week at 2,498 head and were down 43 percent from the same week last year. Year-to-date feeder exports were 35 percent lower than year ago, totaling 103,418 head.
Good local and eastern buying interest on ample offerings of quality Alberta feeders fueled strong calf prices last week. Auction traffic was sluggish in other Prairie provinces.
Annual auction volumes typically peak in late October/early November, but deteriorating pasture conditions will flush some cattle to market ahead of schedule. Despite record high calf prices, feeding margins are positive thanks to receding barley, wheat and corn prices. Strong fed prices will remain supportive for the feeder market and despite anticipated ample offerings, good demand should continue for calves.
Cutout price softens
In U.S. beef trade, cutout values continued to show signs of softening.
Choice cutouts were barely steady, down 0.7 percent from the previous week to US$311.66 per cwt., while Select cutouts were off one percent to $286.17 per cwt.
