Fed cattle A drop in wholesale prices — in particular the choice cutout value — has in part pressured fed cattle prices lower. Beef demand concerns were evident as we started the new year as retail beef prices are high and cost of living for consumers continues to increase. Since the start of 2024, the […] Read more
Wholesale price drop pressures fed cattle prices
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the February 2024 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle supply tightens
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the January 2024 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle The fed cattle market has struggled since peaking in September. Lower fed cattle futures, lacklustre beef demand, increased beef imports and larger carcass weights contributed to lower prices in early December. The cash market was trading $8.74/cwt under the September high with a lift time of four to seven weeks. The fed cattle […] Read more
Fed-cattle prices dip, beef demand sees pullback
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the December 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle After months of mostly steady fed cattle prices, the market dipped in mid-November in response to negative packer margins, large volumes of contract cattle limiting cash trade and slower beef movement. The November 10 fed steer average at $230.89/cwt is 25 per cent or $47/cwt higher than the same week in 2022. When […] Read more
Fed cattle prices hold steady, beef production below year-ago levels
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the November 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle The fed price in Western Canada has held mostly steady as supplies have been ample but manageable with adequate fall demand. Slaughter capacity limited upside as additional cows took up some of the available hook space. Recently, the fed steer average has stayed between $390/cwt and $391/cwt. The mid-October average is right at […] Read more
Feeder cattle reach record-high prices third week of September
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the October 17, 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Fed cattle prices surpassed expectations for the summer market, only experiencing a moderate downside through the third quarter of 2023. Recently, the market has held mostly steady, trading between $231/cwt and $233/cwt. The third week of September posted a fed steer average of $232.87/cwt, which is $50.93/cwt higher when compared to the same […] Read more
Canadian fed cattle supplies tighten, herd liquidation continues
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the September 26, 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle The fed cattle market leading up to the Labour Day weekend saw some seasonal pressure. Demand softens towards summer’s end and typically longer-fed, heavier cattle are moving through the system. August ended with an average of $231.76/cwt, which is just six per cent behind the 2023 annual high. The last two weeks of […] Read more
Fed cattle prices strong, parched pastures accelerates yearling run
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the September 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Feedlot margins are positive while packer margins have started to struggle. As packers push back, carcass weights have grown, supplies have increased slightly and beef demand dipped lower during the extreme summer heat. All this has contributed to a seasonal reduction in fed cattle prices.. From the June price high of $247.84/cwt, prices […] Read more
Good demand for beef, though retail prices see slight decrease
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the August 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle In the 26 weeks of recorded sales in 2023, 23 of the weeks saw week-over-week improvements. The peak was the third week of June at $247.84/cwt, which was a $61.80/cwt improvement from the start of 2023 and 41 per cent higher than the same week in June 2022. The start of July saw […] Read more
Record fed cattle prices, feeder prices also seen strong
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the June 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Fed cattle prices continue to set new records in 2023. Significant increases in exports led to current marketing positions for feedlots sooner than expected. Supplies are tight and carcass weights have dropped which has packers looking to secure inventory and cut back on kill days. In mid-May the fed steer average in Alberta […] Read more
Spring demand, strong wholesale drives fed cattle prices
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the May 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle The cash market in the U.S. rebounded following a drop in March in response to the mid-month financial turmoil. In Canada, the cash market was not negatively affected and steadily improved, posting new record highs. The first week of April saw the fed steer average in Alberta at $217.59/cwt, an improvement of $7.17/cwt […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
