For the week ending September 6, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $525/cwt, up $15/cwt from a week earlier. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $315/cwt. Current breakeven pen closeout values in southern Alberta are in the range of $285-$290/cwt.
Barley prices in central and southern Alberta were once again down $10/cwt from a week earlier. The barley harvest progress is now over 50 per cent complete and farmer selling has been quite aggressive.
The Perlich Bros Auction Market report had a smaller package of Angus steers off grass averaging 1,040 pounds priced at $459/cwt at the ring. At the Gladstone Auction in Manitoba, fancy Charolais heifers evaluated at 991 pounds traded for $430/cwt.
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For the week ending August 30, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4-$8/cwt higher on average. Quality yearling and calf packages were up as much as $15/cwt in some cases.
The Team Auction Market report had a group of black and red Angus steers with few Charolais blends off grass on the herd health program (including implants) averaging 960 pounds notching the chart at $484.50/cwt.
At the Ponoka sale, a group of 47 Angus cross steers weighing 910 pounds off grass with full health records valued at $495/cwt. At the same sale, 930-pound mixed heifers off grass with processing data settled at $452/cwt.
At the Ste. Rose Auction in Manitoba, red yearling steers off grass evaluated at 802 pounds traded for $539/cwt. At the same sale, a smaller package of red and black yearling heifers straight off pasture weighing 800 pounds sold for $490/cwt.
The Team Video Sale reported 30 head of Charolais cross steer calves near Moose Jaw averaging 720 pounds coming off cows and grass diet with full processing records (no implants) settled at $566/cwt for October 6-10 delivery.
The Perlich Bros Video Sale reported 100 head of Charolais cross steer calves with a base weight of 640 pounds traded for $585/cwt for November 18 delivery.
At the Westlock ring sale, there was a dozen Simmental cross Angus steer calves coming off cows and grass with full processing data averaging 548 pounds sold for $672/cwt. Their lighter brothers with a scale number of 494 pounds traded for $705/cwt.
The Team forward calf sale had 110 head of Black Angus Hereford cross steers averaging 550 pounds with full processing records coming off cows and grass valued at $685/cwt fob ranch near Pataricia, Alberta for November 6th delivery.
Western Canadian yearlings outside finishing feedlots on July 1, 2025, were 1.107 million head, about the same as last year. We’re now seeing more yearlings come on the market given the favorable pasture conditions earlier in August. Western Canadian calves under one year of age outside finishing feedlots were 2.830 million head, up 77,900 head from 12 months earlier.
