Alberta fed cattle close at $292/cwt, lowest since December 2025

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $292/cwt live in Alberta last week, $2.50/cwt lower than the previous week and the lowest point since December 2025, according to the Alberta Beef Producers weekly report for the week of September 21, 2026.

Light trade was reported, with dressed sales ranging from $486.50 to $489.50/cwt FOB the feedlot. Cattle that traded were scheduled for delivery anywhere from early October to early November.

Western Canadian steer carcass weights have steadily increased this summer and are now 2 pounds shy of their highs set back in January. Ontario was the bright spot for the Canadian fed market as prices there strengthened last week.

The Canfax feeder steer and heifer price closed the week $8 to $11/cwt higher. Despite the increase, all classes of cattle are trading below last year.

With good grass conditions across much of the Prairies, the yearling run has been slow to develop. Over the past week, there was a bigger offering of forward delivery calves, with over 50,000 head marketed for fall delivery.

In some cases, groups of replacement quality heifers are trading higher than their steer mates. These premiums have resulted in a narrower steer/heifer price spread. Some October and November delivery calf sales averaged heifers trading $55/cwt back of their steer mates.

The 850 pound feeder basis was +15 last week. For the middle of September, this is the strongest feeder basis on record.

For the week ending September 5, Canadian feeder cattle exports to the United States totaled 1,038 head, the smallest weekly export volume seen this year.

Alberta D2 cows traded $5/cwt lower last week, averaging $210.25/cwt with a range from $180 to $242/cwt. D3 cows averaged $183/cwt. Since June, Western Canadian cow slaughter has been running above last year.

Butcher bulls traded $10/cwt lower, averaging $235/cwt with a range from $200 to $293/cwt. For the week ending September 5, Canadian butcher bull exports to the United States totaled 658 head, 26 per cent lower than the same week last year.

Canadian beef exports in July were 1 per cent larger than last year. The Dominican Republic has approved imports of Canadian beef for the first time since 2003.

The USDA September 1 cattle on feed report should be viewed as slightly bullish as feedlot placements came in below industry estimates. The United States is scheduled to re-open the Santa Teresa port in New Mexico on September 24 to Mexican feeder cattle, which pressured both the live cattle and feeder contracts.

The Alberta Nebraska cash-to-cash basis is the weakest it has been since February. The December lean hog contract set new lows last week.