The auction markets stayed steady this week with solid demand across most categories. Here's what the numbers tell us.
Fed Cattle Hold Ground
Fed Steers averaged $316–$319/cwt for large and medium frame cattle over 1250 lbs—that's a 1,500+ lb steer worth roughly $4,750–$4,790 at auction. Medium frame steers pulled in comparable prices, while dairy cross steers took a hit at $281/cwt (about $4,456 for a 1,586 lb animal).
Fed Heifers came in stronger. Medium and large frame heifers over 1,000 lbs averaged $323–$324/cwt, meaning a 1,380 lb heifer brought home around $4,457–$4,477. Dairy cross heifers lagged at $264/cwt, pulling down earnings for smaller, lighter frame cattle.
Cows and Bulls Track Lower
Cows averaged $205/cwt across all weights—about $3,018 for a 1,470 lb cow. It's a practical market tier for beef-heavy processors.
Bulls held steady at $264–$276/cwt depending on frame, so a heavy bull over 1,600 lbs (averaging 2,040 lbs) fetched roughly $5,393–$5,638.
Stockers: Price Pressure on Lighter Stock
Stocker steers in the 600–700 lb range averaged $596/cwt, putting them at $3,814 per head. Heavier feeders (800+ lbs) moved slightly lower around $509–$530/cwt—about $4,581–$4,803 per steer depending on frame. The auction floor showed decent demand, but lighter feeder cattle took some price pressure.
What It Means
Demand held steady across the week, but the market showed its age. Fed cattle prices are solid—a finished 1,400+ lb steer is still worth mid-$4,700 range if it grades well. But lighter, younger cattle and dairy cross animals faced headwinds. That's typical spring churn, but worth watching if you're building feeder inventory.
The volume on stocker heifers was thin (only 702 head across all frames for the week), which kept prices volatile.
Data source: Beef Farmers of Ontario weekly auction market summary, March 27 – April 1, 2026.