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Beef Watch

cattle in a feedlot
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, Markets

Total Canadian cattle, calf numbers shrink again

BeefWatch is prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattle Association

By
As the cattle herd shrinks, leverage has shifted from the retailer through the supply chain to the cow-calf sector. Heavier Canadian steer carcass weights supported fed production in 2024, offsetting smaller slaughter volumes. Fed and feeder cattle prices moved to record highs in the first quarter of 2025, building on momentum from the fourth quarter […] Read more
The reduction in cow slaughter volumes since May suggests the Canadian beef cow herd is entering the consolidation phase of the cattle cycle.
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, Markets

Canadian beef cow inventory smaller, fed carcass weights heavier

BeefWatch is prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattle Association

By
The Canadian beef cow herd is showing signs of entering the consolidation phase of the cattle cycle. Beef cow inventories were smaller, but there were more beef breeding heifers on July 1. The U.S. cattle herd is estimated to have declined from last year. Feeder imports from Mexico and heavier carcass weights have supported U.S. […] Read more
Canada, U.S. cattle inventories further decline
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, Markets

Canada, U.S. cattle inventories further decline

BeefWatch is prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattle Association

By
All eyes are on moisture conditions this spring, as a snow drought covered a large portion of the Canadian Prairies this winter. Some of the highest (nominal) feeder prices in history last fall were combined with heifers being sent into feedlots. Feeder prices moved higher this spring to make new record highs on lower feed […] Read more
BeefWatch: Record-high cattle prices yet to spur herd expansion
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, News

BeefWatch: Record-high cattle prices yet to spur herd expansion

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattle Association

By
Despite record-high prices for feeder cattle this spring and summer there appears to be no signal that the North American cattle herd has transitioned to the expansion phase. The heifers kept for breeding were down, as of July 1, while heifers for slaughter were up. Depleted feedstocks, record-high feeder cattle prices and widespread areas of […] Read more
Photo: Canada Beef
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, News

Fed, feeder cattle prices in record-high range

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattle Association

By
Fed cattle found substantial tailwinds, making new record-high prices in March 2023. Feeder prices in the first quarter of 2023 are approaching the record highs from 2015. Strong cattle prices are being supported by tighter North American supplies. Following two years of drier conditions, Canadian and U.S. cattle inventories were lower to begin 2023. Fed […] Read more
Canada’s beef cow inventory has declined for the third consecutive year and is at its lowest since 2015.
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, News

Canadian cattle numbers see significant drop, strong demand for beef continues

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

By
Canada’s cattle inventory declined in 2022, with cows and heifers for beef replacement down substantially. Concerns about a second year of drought across the Prairies pushed more heifers into feedlots early in 2022. Prices for fed and non-fed Canadian cattle maintained their upward price momentum from spring to summer on a tight supply outlook, as […] Read more
BeefWatch: Canada’s cattle herd shrinks, beef exports very strong
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, News

BeefWatch: Canada’s cattle herd shrinks, beef exports very strong

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

By
Canadian and U.S. cattle inventories continued to contract at the start of 2022. Cattle supplies remained ample in the near term with large on-feed inventories but are expected to tighten in the second half of the year with a shrinking cow herd and smaller calf crop. Beef exports were remarkably strong in 2021 with record-high […] Read more
BeefWatch: Canadian cattle herd increases, strong beef demand seen from consumers
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, News

BeefWatch: Canadian cattle herd increases, strong beef demand seen from consumers

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

By
The third quarter brought opportunities and challenges as strong beef demand warrants cautious optimism for producers who must still contend with a year of drought. The Canadian cattle herd has reportedly increased for the first time since 2017 with beef breeding heifer numbers up on July 1. Beef exports have surged with strong consumer demand […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, News

BeefWatch: Canadian cattle inventories shrink, fed cattle prices improve

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

By
Canadian cattle inventories continued to shrink at the start of 2021, while U.S. inventories declined slightly from their peak. North American cattle supplies remain ample but could tighten as the year progresses with the potential of a smaller calf crop. Canadian beef production continues to be supported by feeder imports from the U.S. The backlog […] Read more
Beef cow inventories are down 1.4 per cent to 3.6 million cows.
Beef Cattle, Beef Watch, News

COVID-fuelled recession clips cattle markets

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

By
While cattle markets appear to have stabilized following the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, uncertainty surrounding the fallout of the global pandemic has created longer-lasting effects. Canadian cattle inventories continue to shrink as the U.S. cattle herd reaches its peak. What happens next will depend on domestic and global demand. All G20 […] Read more

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