Current Markets & Forecasts

Alberta fed steers and heifers closed the week $1.00/cwt lower than last week. Fed prices have been moving sideways for the last five weeks. Seasonally, Western Canadian fed prices are expected to continue to move sideways through November with a slight pickup in December. Dressed sales were reported from $490.00–$500.00/cwt delivered, steady to $10.00/cwt lower…

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $297/cwt live, mostly steady with the previous week. Fed cattle prices have chopped sideways for the past month. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers but competition on the cash market was limited. Last week, dressed sales were reported from $495.00–$497.50/cwt FOB the…

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reduced its beef production forecasts for both 2026 and 2027 in its October World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. For 2026, USDA lowered its beef production forecastin the second half of the year, as lower expected steer and heifer slaughter and lighter carcass weights more than…

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $296.50/cwt live, mostly steady with the previous week. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers. Light trade was reported last week with dressed sales ranging from $492.00–$498.00/cwt FOB the feedlot. Cattle that traded were scheduled for the first half of November delivery. In…

Based on the ten-year average, it is not uncommon to see the second half of the year’s price low occur in September. Over the past couple of weeks, Alberta fed prices have been trading at a $15–$17/cwt discount against the Nebraska market. For the second half of September, cash-to-cash basis levels are the weakest since…

U.S. feedlots placed fewer cattle in August than in any other August since the data series began in 1996, according to the latest Cattle on Feed report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Despite the decline, cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head…

Record cattle prices can make almost any operation look profitable. But strong markets can also hide inefficiencies that become more apparent when prices weaken. As the cattle cycle moves into its next phase, protecting equity and maintaining a strong financial position will become increasingly important. That starts with setting a clear profit goal and working…

The latest United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report brought a few notable changes for the cattle sector, including lower beef production forecasts and reduced cattle price expectations. Ahead of the report, much of the focus was on whether USDA would lower its corn yield estimate. The revised…

Alberta fed prices traded sideways for the first time since June. Weighted average fed steers and heifers closed the week at $296.00 and $294.00/cwt respectively. Fed prices have now traded below year ago for four consecutive weeks. Dressed sales were reported at $495.00/cwt delivered; sales were at the top end of last week’s trading range….