Description
Cattle markets are facing another tough week, with falling prices, heavier carcass weights, and backed-up feedlots adding pressure as the fall calf run continues.
In this episode of the Beef Market Update, RealAgriculture's Shaun Haney is joined by Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Exchange to break down a challenging week across the cattle complex.
Wasko says fed cattle markets in both Canada and the United States continue to face downward pressure, driven by outside market volatility and steep losses in live and feeder cattle futures. Southern U.S. live trade dropped to $218, northern dressed markets fell to the $335 to $340 range, and Alberta delivered dressed prices traded at $4.90, down $5 to $10 from the previous week.
Wholesale beef values also slipped, with Choice cutouts down $5.70 to $361.50 and Select declining $9.25, even as rib primals held steady ahead of U.S. Thanksgiving.
Canadian steer carcass weights also set another record for this time of year, running 33 pounds above last year and lifting total beef production by three per cent despite a one per cent decline in slaughter pace.
The economics of adding weight to cattle continue to encourage heavier carcasses, though physical packing capacity and backed-up feedlot schedules are now impacting calf demand. Meanwhile, second-quality calves and heifers are seeing wider price discounts as the fall run continues.
Statistics Canada data for September shows national retail beef prices reached a record $28.78 per kilogram alongside record ground beef prices, contrasting with lower pork values. Wasko cautions that the lag in retail data makes direct comparisons with current cattle markets difficult.
Meanwhile, Canadian live cattle exports to the United States remain lower overall in 2026, with fed cattle exports down 24 per cent year to date.
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