Klassen: Highs in place for the feeder market

For the week ending October 4, Western Canadian grass yearling markets traded regular to $5-$8/cwt decrease on common in comparison with seven days earlier. Backgrounded yearlings have been down $5-$12/cwt. Calf markets have been down $5 to $10/cwt from per week earlier.

There was an inflow of calves over the previous week which resulted within the softer tone to the general feeder complicated. The highs are doubtless in place for the feeder market. The weaker fed cattle market and softer deferred dwell cattle futures contributed to the decrease bids for all weight classes. Feedlot operators are involved that margins might be in unfavourable territory for the spring and summer season of 2026 so that they’re reducing bids for replacements.

On the VJV Ponoka sale, a small package deal of blended (unique) steers off grass with full processing information averaging 1,015 kilos traded for $457/cwt. The TEAM video public sale had 55 pink heifers with a imply weight of 1,012 kilos off grass valued at $429/cwt fob Image Butte.

A rancher reported that 45 Angus cross yearling steers off grass averaging 950 kilos offered for $465 in Central Alberta. The Workforce video public sale had a bunch of 200 black steers with a base weight of 925 kilos on silage ration focusing on 2.2 lbs/day promoting for $461 fob feedlot for March 15, 2026 supply. The VJV Dawson Creek market report had Simmental steer calves evaluated at 885 kilos off cows and grass on the total herd well being program priced at $489/cwt

The Ste Rose Public sale Mart report had a smaller package deal of black yearling grass fed steers averaging 813 kilos buying and selling for $564/cwt. The Killarney Public sale had a small package deal of Angus steers weighing 785 kilos valued at $587/cwt. In Central Alberta, a smaller package deal of bigger body, yearling Simmental cross heifers off grass averaging simply over 800 kilos apparently moved off farm at $484/cwt.

Northern Livestock Gross sales at Lloydminster reported {that a} package deal of 16 tan steer calves weighing 708 kilos offered for $584/cwt. A farmer in Central Alberta reported that 700-pound Charolais Simmental cross weaned heifer calves traded for $535 at a hoop sale.

On the Vermillion Livestock Alternate ring sale, a bunch of 34 Charolais steers averaging 602 kilos have been final bid at $645/cwt; Charolais heifers scaled at 632 kilos reportedly offered for $567/cwt.

The Workforce Public sale Market Video Sale had black steers with a imply weight of 550 kilos with full processing information however no implants buying and selling for $720 fob farm close to Elkhorn, Manitoba for supply February 4, 2026. Northern Livestock Gross sales at Prince Alberta had a smaller group of Charolais bawling steers scaled at 504 kilos set free of the ring at $735/cwt.

Alberta packers have been shopping for fed cattle on a dressed foundation within the vary of $508-$516/cwt delivered, down $9-$12 from final week. Utilizing a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a dwell worth of $305-$309/cwt. Wholesale beef selection beef closed at US$368/cwt. That is down $40/cwt from the August excessive. Beef demand seems to be slowing which is leading to decrease wholesale beef costs and weaker cattle costs.

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