Canfax cattle market report – May 7, 2026
This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca.
Fed prices steady
Western Canadian fed prices remained steady during the week ending April 24, hovering around new record highs.
Alberta fed steers closed the week at $333.39 per hundredweight, up $1.64 per cwt. from the previous week. Fed heifers eased $0.50 per cwt. lower to close the week at $328.24 per cwt.
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Dressed sales were reported in the range of $550-$556 per cwt. delivered, steady with the previous week.
Light volumes of fed steers sold on a live basis at about $5 per cwt. higher than these dressed sales.
Although U.S. packer interest was reported, no sales south of the border were confirmed.
In Ontario, there was a steady tone to the market.
While dressed sales were reported at $552 per cwt. delivered at the start of the week, trade softened to $548 per cwt. by the end of the week, with packers pulling their bids by late Thursday.
U.S. packer interest was reported, with sales to the U.S. at $330.50 per cwt. f.o.b. the feedlot. This was at a premium of $0.50 per cwt. (live) to the Canadian market.
Non-fed prices rise
A stronger tone was noted across the non-fed market during the week ending April 24.
D2 cows were $4 per cwt. stronger than the previous week, closing the week at $245.08 per cwt.
D2 cow prices have increased by seven per cent over the past 10 weeks, and seasonally stronger prices are anticipated soon.
Butcher bull prices hit a new record high at $270 per cwt., up $3 per cwt. from the previous week. Demand continues to be strong, and top-quality bulls were selling for more than $300 per cwt.
Railgrade cows were up $5 per cwt., reaching a new record high price of $440-$445 per cwt.
Western Canadian cow slaughter for the week ending April 18 totalled 5,758 head. This was up two per cent from the previous week but four per cent below last year’s volumes.
Feeder prices mixed
The feeder market in Western Canada saw mixed prices during the week ending April 24.
Steer calves weighing 500 pounds were the highlight of the week, with prices rebounding to within $7 per cwt. of the highs set in March.
Feeders weighing more than 1,000 lb. were the low spot, softening by $5 per cwt. from the previous week.
The forward delivery calf market was lightly tested, with Saskatchewan five-weight steer calves for October delivery trading in the mid-$720s per cwt.
Although grass buyers remain active on the market, demand is anticipated to decrease in the short term as orders are filled.
This year, grass buyers have focused on the 600- to 800-lb. category, though in the past they have purchased feeders weighing just more than 900 lb.
Demand for quality replacement females has moderated, with average prices falling by $200-$300 per head.
Although the top-end heifers are still finding homes in breeding programs, the second-cut females are selling for market price to feedlots.
There was still strong demand for bred cows, though volumes are lighter than earlier in the year. Younger cows with good January or February calves at side were bringing upwards of $9,000 per pair.
Cutouts see support
U.S. cutout prices eased higher during the week ending April 24, with Choice cutouts up $1.90 per cwt. from the previous week and Select cutouts up $4.10 per cwt.
The Choice-to-Select spread was $0.92 per cwt, which was 70 per cent narrower than the previous week. The Choice-to-Select spread has remained around $1 per cwt. since April 21.
Support for cutout values is anticipated to continue with Mother’s Day and the May long weekend coming up.
Source: producer.com