Beef calf price should continue to be strong in 2025, but a growing cow herd could mean lower prices in 2026.
Tag Archives cattle markets
U.S. cattle herd contraction coming to an end
The Markets: Watch for calf prices to start to decline in 2026
Klassen: Feeder cattle market jumps back to historical highs
For the week ending March 15, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $8-$12 higher compared to seven days earlier. Prices fully recovered from the prior week with values quoted at or near historical highs. Finishing feedlots were aggressive across all weight categories due to strength in the nearby and deferred live cattle futures. Once again, […] Read more
Using technical analysis for feeder cattle marketing
The Markets: Looking at charts from the past few months shows the market could range higher
Looking at charts from the past few months shows live cattle futures could range higher.
How tariffs could influence cattle prices
The Markets: A 10 per cent tariff on Canadian cattle could be absorbed by U.S. consumer prices
During the first couple weeks of January, auction markets in Western Canada experienced a surge in sales as cow-calf producers increased selling prior to the Trump inauguration. Feeder cattle markets have been trading at record highs, which may have contributed to the feeder cattle liquidation; however, most cattle producers were selling in anticipation of U.S. […] Read more
Tighter fed cattle supplies projected for second quarter
The Markets: The trend has been toward fewer cattle in feedlots across North America in late 2024
At the time of writing this article, April 2025 live cattle futures were trading just above $197, which was a fresh contract high. The market appears to be incorporating a risk premium due to uncertainty in beef production in both Canada and the U.S. This has provided Alberta feedlot operators opportunities to lock in favourable […] Read more
Feeder cattle prices should remain at historical highs in 2025
The Markets: Heifer retention is expected this year in both Canada and the U.S.
At the time of writing this article in the latter half of December, U.S. and Canadian feeder cattle prices were trading at or near historical highs. I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers regarding the price outlook for feeder cattle in 2025. The benchmark for the western Canadian feeder market is central Alberta. During December […] Read more
Feeder market trades at or near historical highs
The Markets: Larger supplies by numbers and weight will mean more beef supply year over year
During the last week of October, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $403-$408 per hundredweight ($242-$245/cwt on a live basis). This was unchanged from a month earlier. Breakeven pen closeouts are in the range of $250-$255/cwt, so margins are in negative territory for the time being. The […] Read more
Fed cattle market grinds lower
The Markets: Softer demand shows up as North American employment weakens
During the second week of September, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $406-$410/cwt, down from prices of $425-$428/cwt a month earlier. Beef demand appears to be softening as unemployment levels increase. In addition to weaker consumer spending, September and October are two months when beef demand typically […] Read more
Cattle market vulnerable to slower economic growth
The Markets: Watch consumer trends for indications of a beef price slowdown
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $425-$428/cwt delivered in mid-August. Live prices were quoted at $255/cwt (US$186), f.o.b. feedlot, in southern Alberta. The fed market has come off the summer highs as demand eases moving into the fall period. Monthly restaurant spending on both sides of the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market stabilizes
For the week ending August 31, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Finishing feedlots are exuding a cautious sentiment. While order buyers had a full deck, there were upside limits. Pen-sized strings of quality yearlings traded at a premium to average values. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle […] Read more
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