Klassen: Lower U.S. calf crop supports Canadian feeder cattle market

For the week ending July 26, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets had been comparatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Yearlings off grass weighing 900 kilos plus had been very sturdy and should have been up $3 to $5 from the earlier week. Volumes had been restricted and lots of public sale barns are on summer season holidays; nevertheless, there have been just a few function gross sales final week which set the general tone.

Alberta packers had been shopping for fed cattle on a dressed foundation at a mean value of $500/cwt delivered. Dwell cattle bids fob feedlot in Southern Alberta had been reported within the vary of $294-$295/cwt. Present breakeven pen-closeout values are within the vary of $275-$280/cwt. Feedlot margins stay in optimistic territory which continues to be the primary issue supporting the feeder advanced.

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The Dryland Cattle public sale market report from Veteran, Alberta, had black steers averaging 1,100 kilos off grass promoting for $384/cwt and 972-pound steers off grass buying and selling for $430. On the similar sale, black heifers weighing 968 kilos had been valued at $390. The Ponoka Market report had pink blended heifers averaging 1,013 kilos off grass promoting for $382.

In central Saskatchewan, medium to bigger body pink Angus cross steers weighing 820 kilos off grass had been quoted at $475/cwt. In the identical area, 730-pound Simmental cross, weaned steers off grass with a imply weight of 715 kilos reportedly offered for $505. In central Alberta, a smaller package deal of tan heifers averaging simply over 700 kilos traded apparently offered for $445/cwt.

The Westlock Market report had a pair of pink blended steers weighing 652 kilos buying and selling for $527. North of Calgary, a smaller package deal of tan heifers weighing 510 kilos apparently offered for $503.

The DLMS report had a bigger group of 625 pound steer calves traded for $560/cwt northeast of Edmonton. Close to Lanigan Saskatchewan, a pen-sized group of 500 pound steers had been quoted at $659.

The USDA’s semi-annual Cattle Stock Report estimated the 2025 calf crop at 33.1 million head, down 429,500 head from the 2024 calf output.

Some analysts are estimating the Canadian barley crop at 9.0 million tonnes, up from 8.1 million tonnes final yr. U.S. corn manufacturing has potential to achieve over 410 million tonnes, up from the 2024 harvest of 378 million tonnes. Decrease feeder cattle provides and bigger feed grain manufacturing will maintain the feeder market properly supported.