Backgrounded replacements were down $3-$6/cwt on average with fleshier groups dropping as much as $6-$10/cwt. Calves were quite variable across the Prairies due to limited numbers. There was strong demand for grassers, especially in Central Alberta.

Ontario buying interest was noted at certain locations, which lifted overall average values at those specific auctions. Some larger finishing operators were quiet last week. All these factors resulted in a wide price range.

For daily livestock futures updates, visit the Western Producer Markets Desk

At the VJV sale in Ponoka, a pen-size group of lower flesh mixed steers averaging 933 pounds coming off a diet of barley and corn silage with full processing data sold for $469/cwt. Another feature from this location included a group of Charolais cross heifers, scaled at 862 pounds on rolled barley and corn silage diet with full processing data, that were bid at $455/cwt.

The TEAM market report included 68 Angus Simmental cross steers with a mean weight of 880 pounds coming off a diet of diet of barley, corn silage and mineral package with full veterinary data but no implants sold for $481/cwt fob farm near Pierson, Manitoba.

The Lloydminster sale results included a smaller package of red steers weighing 709 pounds dropping the gavel at $589. At the same location, a package of 34 Angus based heifers evaluated at 717 pounds traded for $515/cwt.

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At the Ste. Rose auction, a small package of red mixed steers averaging 631 pounds traded for $607 and five Charolais heifers weighing 651 pounds sold for $557/cwt. The Killarney market report included at group of black steers (no implants) with a mean weight of 655 pounds sold for $614/cwt.

North of Calgary, a farmer reported that short-weaned Simmental mixed steers, averaging 520 pounds with full preconditioning, sold for $755 at a ring sale. In Westlock, a six-pack of Charolais cross Angus heifers averaging 530 pounds on hay diet with all natural description sold for $630/cwt.

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $540/cwt, unchanged from last week. Live sales fob feedlot in Southern Alberta were quoted at $322/cwt. Breakeven fed cattle prices for April on a live basis are in the range of $350-$355/cwt.

Feed barley was trading in the Lethbridge area in the range of $305-$310/tonne delivered while imported U.S. corn was quoted at $300-$305/tonne. Feed barley prices appear to have further upside potential.

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Backgrounded replacements were quite variable with sharper discounts noted on fleshier groups. The heifer discount to steers appeared to be wider in some cases but it was largely based on quality features. Calves may have been slightly softer this week but larger groups under 600 pounds were hard to find. Smaller packages of calves around 500 pounds were down $10-$15/cwt on average.

For daily cattle and livestock price updates, visit the Western Producer Market Desk

The TEAM auction report included a group of 60 larger frame black steers with a mean weight of 1,025 pounds being fed eight pounds of barley and silage ration on the full herd health program that sold for $451/cwt fob farm near Saskatoon. At the Ste. Rose auction, a smaller package of mixed steers weighing 894 pounds sold for $480/cwt.

Northern Livestock Sales in Lloydminster reported a smaller package of Simmental based heifers averaging 842 pounds that traded for $460/cwt. At the VJV sale in Ponoka, a group of 82 tan mixed steers averaging 850 pounds on barley and corn silage diet with full processing records and implants traded for $514/cwt.

The VJV market report from Westlock included a smaller package of Simmental Charolais cross steers evaluated at 709 pounds being fed silage and hay on full herd health program dropped the gavel at $574/cwt. At the sale in Killarney, an eight-pack of 727 pound black heifers traded for $456/cwt.

North of Calgary, a smaller package of Angus cross short-weaned heifers with a mean weight of 615 pounds coming off a diet of hay and silage with full processing traded for $605 at a ring sale, a farmer reported. Northwest of Saskatoon, a group of Charolais cross weaned steers averaging 680 pounds with full preconditioning records on a diet of silage and pellets were valued at $680/cwt fob farm.

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At the Killarney sale, a nine-pack of Charolais steers weighing 555 pounds sold for $656/cwt and a four-pack of the same genetics averaging 482 pounds notched the board at $735/cwt. The Vermilion Livestock Exchange reported a three-pack of British blended steers weighing 515 pounds that sold for $752/cwt.

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $540/cwt delivered, up from the range of $525-$538/cwt a week earlier. Feedlot margins have improved but remain in negative territory which is limiting the upside for feeder cattle prices. Feed barley was trading in the Lethbridge area in the range of $295-$305/tonne delivered, up $30-$40/tonne from mid February.

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Weakness in the nearby and deferred live cattle prices along with strength in the barley market resulted in a negative tone for the overall feeder complex. Feedlot margins have deteriorated in the short-term which contributed to the defensive tone amongst buyers.

Get daily livestock markets updates at the Western Producer Markets Desk.

On March 12, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $525-$530/cwt delivered, down from last week’s average price $538/cwt. On a live basis, this would equates to $315-$318/cwt. Breakeven fed cattle prices are currently in the range of $330-$340/cwt.

The TEAM auction market report included a group of 67 black Angus cross steers carrying lighter flesh, averaging 925 pounds with full processing records and implants coming off a diet of four pounds of wheat and corn silage that sold for $468/cwt fob ranch near Vauxhall.

At the Ponoka sale, 28 tan heifers with a mean weight of 894 pounds coming off a diet of seven pounds of barley and silage and full processing records included traded for $444/cwt. In Westlock, a group of eight Angus cross heifers averaging 802 pounds on a diet of free choice hay and five pounds of pellets with full processing data traded for $489/cwt.

The Vermillion Livestock Exchange reported a group of 15 black steers on the card at 714 pounds exited the ring at $590/cwt. This compares to the Killarney sale, where a group of 21 black steers weighing 713 pounds were last bid at $569/cwt and a smaller package of black heifers averaging 716 pounds silenced the crowd at $504/cwt.

The Lloydminster market report included a six-pack of Charolais cross steers scaled at 611 pounds that sold for $700/cwt. At the same location, a group of Angus blended heifers weighing 601 pounds traded for $577/cwt.

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Lighter weight calves were quite variable across the Prairies. At the Ste. Rose auction, a group of 17 Charolais steers evaluated 521 pounds notched the board at $727/cwt. This compares to the Lloydminster sale were a group of eight Charolais based steers weighing 521 pounds dropped the gavel at $765/cwt.

On March 12, wholesale choice beef was trading at US$397/cwt, up US$10/cwt from the prior week while select product was quoted at US$390/cwt, also reflecting a week-over-week gain of US$10/cwt.

Beef demand will be key to sustaining the current prices structure for fed and feeder cattle. For fall delivery, 1,000 pound steers off grass were quoted in the range of $475-$485/cwt relatively unchanged from three weeks earlier.

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Strength in the feed grains complex along with weaker deferred live cattle futures set a negative tone. Feedlot operators exhibited a cautious tone as feeding margins are in deep in red ink for late March and April.

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Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $535-$539/cwt delivered, up $4-$5 from last week. Using a 60 per cent grading, live prices would equate to $321-$323/cwt delivered. Southern Alberta breakeven pen closeout values average $340/cwt for March.

At the Ponoka sale, a group of black mixed steers averaging 1,022 pounds on a diet of 14 per cent barley, three per cent canola meal and silage with full processing records, including implants sold for $458/cwt. The Lloydminster market report had a group of 41 Simmental based steers weighing 920 pounds that silenced the crowd at $484/cwt.

Northeast of Calgary, a pen-sized group of medium to larger frame Charolais cross heifers weighing 875 pounds on light grain and silage diet with full health data and implants were valued at $455/cwt fob farm.
The Ste Rose Auction Mart report included a group of 21 Charolais steers with a mean weight of 816 pounds traded for $529/cwt.

A cattle producer in the Saskatoon region reported a group Angus cross steers weighing just over 700 pounds on light grain, silage and mineral diet that were valued at $610/cwt fob farm. At the Westlock sale, a group of Simmental based, weaned heifers on the full herd health program coming off hay and silage diet averaging 700 pounds dropped the gavel at $540/cwt.

In central Alberta, a cattle producer reported at group of medium to larger frame red mixed steers averaging just over 600 pounds on silage, mineral supplement that notched the board at $692/cwt. The Lloydminster market report included a smaller package of 44 mixed heifers scaled at 608 pounds that exited the ring at $598/cwt.

Find daily livestock futures coverage at the Western Producer markets desk.

The Vermillion market report included 10 exotic steers averaging 552 pounds that sold for $738 and a pair of tan steers weighing 482 pounds that traded for $810/cwt. The Killarney market report had a smaller package of red heifers weighing 526 pounds that were valued at $660 and a three-pack of black heifers averaging 466 pounds priced at $697/cwt.

U.S. and Canadian equity markets dropped sharply this past week. Cattle producers are concerned that higher energy prices will slow economic growth and enhance inflationary pressures thereby reducing beef demand.

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Feeding margins have improved over the past week with Southern Alberta pen-closeouts now hovering near breakeven. Ontario feedlot margins are in positive territory by $20-$40/head.

At the Ponoka video sale, a group of 61 mixed steers with a mean weight of 1,009 pounds on five pounds of rolled barley and corn silage diet with full health records and implants sold for $462/cwt fob farm. At the Ste Rose Auction Mart in Manitoba, a group of 18 Charolais steers weighing 914 pounds dropped the gavel at $486/cwt.

For up to date livestock futures prices, visit the Western Producer Markets Desk.

Northwest of Saskatoon, a farmer reported a group of 850-pound Charolais cross steers on backgrounding ration with full processing and implants were valued at $505/cwt fob farm. Similar quality heifers with a mean weight of 834 pounds were quoted at $479/cwt.

The Perlich Bros auction market report included 50 larger frame, medium to lower flesh, black Angus steers averaging 811 pounds that sold for $532/cwt. At the Prince Albert sale, a smaller group of red replacement heifers weighing 782 pounds silenced the crowd at $515/cwt.

At the Lloydminster sale, a group of 46 Simmental steers with a mean weight of 721 pounds traded for $586/cwt. At the same sale, a group of 22 black heifers weighing 693 pounds were last bid at $526/cwt.

At the Westlock sale, red Angus Simmental weaned steers with full processing records on hay diet averaging 651 pounds set the bar at $639/cwt. North of Calgary, a producer reported a group of black, weaned heifers weighing just over 600 pounds on silage and hay diet sold for $610/cwt at a ring sale. At the Prince Albert sale, a handful of black steers weighing 580 pounds traded for $676/cwt.

At the Killarney sale, a handful of black steers weighing 552 pounds traded for $717/cwt and black heifers averaging 543 pounds sold for $621/cwt. The Perlich Bros market report included at group of 55 black Angus steers weighing 500 pounds that were valued at $802/cwt.

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $530-$535/cwt. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $318-$321/cwt. Ontario steers were trading at an average of $535/cwt delivered plant.

For April, fed cattle breakeven prices on a live basis are around $350/cwt in Southern Alberta.

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Feedlot margins appear to be improving in the short-term which supported the yearling market. Extremely cold temperatures across most of Alberta may have contributed to a softer market for calves.

Near Leoville, Sask., a group of 300 mixed medium frame steers carrying lighter butter averaging 970 pounds on backgrounding ration with full processing traded for $470/cwt fob farm.

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The Perlich Bros market report include small package of Angus Charolais cross, yearling steers weighing 900 pounds that sold for $502/cwt.

The TEAM market report had a group of 73 black steers with a mean weight of 830 pounds with full processing records and implants on six lbs barley and silage diet sold for $525/cwt fob ranch near Consort, Alta. In Southern Alberta, a pen-sized group of 120 medium to larger frame Simmental cross mixed heifers with full processing data and implants on light grain and corn silage diet (controlled weight gain) averaging 840 pounds were priced at $465/cwt fob farm.

The VJV Ponoka market report included a group of Charolais cross steers weighing 741 pounds on the full herd health program with implants coming off diet of light barley and silage ration sold for $557/cwt. At the same sale, similar quality heifers on the same program weighing 699 pounds were valued at $540/cwt.

At the ring sale in Clyde, Alta., a group of 24 Angus heifers evaluated at 607 pounds traded for $623/cwt. The Perlich Bros market report included a group of 98 black steers on the full herd health program weighing 609 pounds that sold for $687/cwt.

The Killarney, Man. market report had an eight-pack of black steers with a mean weight of 534 pounds priced at $718/cwt.

North of Calgary, a farmer reported a group of Angus cross heifers weighing 510 pounds apparently sold for $670/cwt.

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For last half August and first half September delivery, 1,000 pound yearling steers in central Alberta are trading in the range of $480-$485/cwt fob ranch.

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $525-$530/cwt delivered, up from the average value of $520/cwt seven days earlier. Using a 60 per cent grading, live prices would be equivalent to $315-$318/cwt delivered.

Feedlot breakeven pen closeouts are in the range of $317-$320/cwt for February. In the U.S., live prices were quoted at US$249/cwt, up $1/cwt from a week earlier. This is a fresh record high for the U.S. finished market.

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Supplies of yearlings or replacements over 800 pounds are increasing as backgrounding operators start liquidating fall placed calves. Quality and flesh conditions are quite variable on these cattle resulting in a wide price structure for similar weight replacements.

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Alberta packers were buying fed on a dressed basis at an average price of $520/cwt delivered, up $3-$5/cwt from a week earlier. Using a 60 per cent grading, the average live price would be $312/cwt. Breakeven fed cattle prices on pen closeouts are in the range of $318-$322/cwt (all costs included such as feed, yardage, processing etc).

The TEAM video sale included a group of 62 Simmental Angus, wide, long-frame, steers averaging 1,000 pounds with full processing data and implants on 10 per cent barley diet that sold for $466/cwt fob farm near Lacombe for immediate delivery.

The VJV market report from Ponoka included a group of black mixed steers on 20 per cent barley diet with full processing records and implants evaluated at 858 pounds priced at $509/cwt. A farmer southwest of Calgary reported a pen of thinner, Angus cross, yearling heifers with full preconditioning records on light grain and silage diet averaging 875 pounds were valued at $473/cwt fob farm.

At the Lloydminster sale, a group of 46 medium to larger frame Simmental steers with a mean weight of 721 pounds dropped the gavel at $586/cwt. At the same location, a group of 89 Charolais cross heifers weighing 712 pounds were last bid at $527/cwt.

At the VJV Westlock sale, a group of 34 Angus Simmental cross weaned steers averaging 677 pounds on five pounds of oats and silage diet with full preconditioned records sold for $610/cwt.

The Killarney market report included a nine-pack of black steers weighing 621 pounds valued at $638/cwt. At the Ste. Rose sale, a group of 20 black heifers averaging 606 pounds were last bid at $588/cwt.

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At the Prince Albert sale, a smaller package of exotic steers evaluated at 554 pounds sold for $692 and trio of British based steers weighing 506 pounds notched the board at $759/cwt. North of Calgary, a group of short-weaned red steers averaging a shade over 500 pounds with full health processing reportedly sold for $765/cwt.

According to the USDA, U.S. first quarter beef production is now expected to finish near 6.360 billion pounds, down 200 million pounds from last year. In the short-term, it appears that U.S. packers are well covered for their nearby slaughter requirements which may negate the tighter supply fundamentals.

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Fleshier cattle in smaller packages were discounted quite heavily off average values. Finishing feedlots are in their fourth month of negative margins and buyers are becoming more finicky on cattle quality.

The Ponoka video sale had a package of 263 black mixed steers with a mean weight of 946 pounds coming off a diet of corn silage and minerals with full processing data, (including implants) valued at $471/cwt for immediate delivery.

In the Lethbridge area, a backgrounding operator sold a uniform pen-size group of Simmental cross heifers weighing 950 pounds, on a diet of barley silage and light grain with processing records and recent implants for $445/cwt fob farm for immediate delivery.

The Ste Rose Auction in Manitoba reported a group of 46 Simmental steers weighing 808 pounds traded for $519/cwt. In central Alberta, a group of 120 mixed red heifers weighing 825 pounds on light grain and silage diet (controlled weight gain) carrying lighter flesh with full processing records sold for $465/cwt.

At the Killarney sale, a group of 14 Charolais steers averaging 727 pounds sold for $563/cwt. Northwest of Saskatoon, light flesh, large frame, tan heifers on barley silage, backgrounding ration with full processing records and recent implants were valued at $526/cwt.

A the Lloydminster sale, a group of black steers averaging 626 pounds dropped the gavel at $661/cwt. At the same sale, six-pack of Charolais heifers evaluated at 639 pounds were last bid at $560/cwt.

North of Calgary, a farmer reported that a group of Angus cross weaned steers averaging 515 pounds with full preconditioning sold for $760 and similar quality/genetic heifers scaled at 500 pounds traded for $690/cwt.

The Vermillion market report included a trio of tan steers weighing 487 pounds priced at $792. West of Edmonton, a cattle buyer reported at group of tans steers weighing 463 pounds notched the board at $845/cwt.

Strong demand surfaced for calves throughout the week. Usually, buyers shopping for grassers out bid the feedlot operator. Not this year.

Quality preconditioned calves were the bright spot last week trading $5-$10 higher.

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Adverse weather in southern Alberta may have tempered buying interest for lighter weight calves.  Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $508-$510 per hundredweight delivered, steady to $2/cwt higher than last week. Live cattle prices near Lethbridge fob feedlot were averaging $305/cwt. Feedlot margins have improved but remain in red ink by $200-$300 per head. Given current prices, the break-even fed cattle price for June on a live basis is in the range of $350-$355/cwt. This is the main factoring stemming additional strength in the feeder complex. 

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The TEAM market report included a group of 140 Charolais blended steers averaging 980 pounds, with full processing data but no implants, coming off a diet of barley and corn silage that traded for $461 fob farm near Kelwood, Man. for delivery March 10-17.

Northeast of Calgary, a backgrounding operation reported a group of large wide frame black Limousin cross steers weighing just over 900 pounds with full processing on a light grain and silage diet-controlled weight gain ration were valued at $475/cwt fob feedlot.   Fleshier cattle of similar weight traded at a $15 to $30/cwt discount.

At the Ponoka sale, a package of 44 Simmental Angus cross steers averaging 822 pounds with full processing records on barley and haylage diet sold for $517/cwt.  At the same sale, Charolais blended pre-conditioned heifers evaluated at 812 pounds on backgrounding ration carrying medium to lighter flesh were valued at $475/cwt.

At the Perlich Bros Auction Mart near Lethbridge,  a smaller group of Charolais based steers weighing  748 pounds dropped the gavel at $566/cwt. At the same sale, a package of 26 red mixed steers averaging 727 pounds exited the ring at $590/cwt.  At the Lloydminster sale, a group of 26 red heifers with a mean weight of 714 pounds traded for $510/cwt.

At the Ste Rose du Lac sale in Manitoba, mixed steers with a mean weight of 618 pounds traded for $627 and a smaller package of mixed heifers averaging 612 pounds sold for $554/cwt. Interesting to note at the Clyde sale in Alberta, a group of heifers for beef cow replacement weighing 648 pounds were quoted at $591/cwt.

The Lloydminster market report included at group of Charolais steers averaging 530 pounds that sold for $715. AT the same sale, a nine-pack of 450-pound red and black Angus steers were quoted at $859/cwt 

 The market is in a very unique situation. If we don’t see the fed cattle market rally by late March or April, the feeder market will start to decline despite the tighter supply scenario.

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The market was quite variable depending on flesh conditions and genetic quality. Prices for backgrounded yearlings or fall placed calves were steady to $5 higher on larger packages on controlled weight gain diets; however, smaller groups of fleshier replacements appeared to reflect larger discounts of $10-$15/cwt this past week. Larger packages of preconditioned, vaccinated, weaned calves were quoted $10- $15/cwt above week-ago levels.

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Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $505-$508/cwt, delivered, unchanged from last week. Using a 60 per cent grading, live prices were quoted from $303/cwt to $305/cwt. For late January and February, Southern Alberta breakeven pen closeout values are in the range of $320-$325/cwt so feedlot margins are under water by $20/cwt.

The TEAM auction market report had 970 pound Simmental Angus cross steers weaned in October with full processing data and implants on barley and corn silage diet priced at $467 fob ranch near Bentley for delivery February 2-5. A producer northeast of Calgary reported a group of large wide frame Limousin cross heifers with a mean weight of 950 pounds with full processing data on light barley and forage diet moved off the farm at $425/cwt.

The Ste Rose Auction Mart reported at group of larger frame, medium to lower flesh, Simmental cross steers averaging 822 pounds sold for $516/cwt. At the Killarney Auction Mart, a package of 13 black heifers weighing 804 pounds traded for $439/cwt. The heifer discount to steers was more severe this past week, especially if they were fleshier cattle.

At the Ponoka sale, red mixed, weaned, steers averaging 705 pounds with lower flesh on forage diet with full preconditioning sold for $579/cwt. The Vermillion market report included a group of six tan heifers evaluated at 705 pounds exited the ring at $527/cwt.

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At the Lloydminster sale, a group of 15 black steers with a mean weight of 601 pounds dropped the gavel at $646/cwt. At the same sale, a group of 22 black heifers scaled at 606 pounds were last bid at $566/cwt.

The Westlock market report included a smaller package of Angus cross Gelbvieh vaccinated and weaned, steer calves averaging 520 pounds silenced the crowed at $743/cwt. The Gladstone market highlights included 30 black heifers chalked at 472 pounds notched the board at $670/cwt.

From July through December 2025, U.S. feedlot placements were 10.606 million head, down 932,000 head from the same period of 2024. The U.S. slaughter in the first half of 2026 will be down sharply from last year which should enhance fed cattle values in Alberta and improve feedlot margins.

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