Fed Cattle: Strong Numbers With Real Weight Behind Them
Ontario auction markets ran May 15–21, 2026, and the fed cattle numbers came in solid. Here's exactly what traded — no fluff, just the math.
Fed Steers (All Medium & Large Frame)
The main volume category — the over-1,250 lb steers — saw 109 head move at an average of $337.57/cwt, with a top of $381.00. At that weight, the average steer was rolling at 1,614 lbs. Do the math:
- Average steer value: 1,614 lbs × $3.3757 = ~$5,448 per head
- Top of market (1,614 lbs @ $381/cwt): ~$6,149 per head
The 1,001–1,250 lb class was where the real action was — 16 head averaged $368.29/cwt with a top ticket of $455.00. At 1,158 lbs average:
- Average steer value: ~$4,265 per head
- Top of market: ~$5,269 per head
Dairy and dairy-cross steers over 1,250 lbs averaged $319.53/cwt (81 head, avg 1,644 lbs) — that's ~$5,253 per head. They consistently trade at a discount to the beef-bred animals, and this week was no different.
Fed Heifers (All Medium & Large Frame)
Heifers were well-represented with 274 head over 1,000 lbs averaging $339.14/cwt at 1,465 lbs. One head topped the room at $427.50/cwt.
- Average heifer value: 1,465 lbs × $3.3914 = ~$4,968 per head
- Top of market: ~$6,263 per head
Dairy and dairy-cross heifers (137 head, avg 1,354 lbs) averaged $296.55/cwt — a noticeable step down from the beef-bred heifers. At that average weight, that pencils out to roughly ~$4,015 per head.
Cull Cows: Still Moving, Market Holding
1,394 cull cows traded across all weight classes at an average of $221.65/cwt, with the average animal coming in at 1,450 lbs.
- Average cow value: 1,450 lbs × $2.2165 = ~$3,214 per head
- Top of market hit $365.00/cwt — a big number for a cull. That top animal at 1,450 lbs: ~$5,293 per head
Bulls: Under & Over 1,600 lbs
48 bulls over 1,600 lbs averaged $290.76/cwt at 1,967 lbs:
- Average bull value: 1,967 lbs × $2.9076 = ~$5,719 per head
36 bulls under 1,600 lbs averaged $318.73/cwt at 1,216 lbs, with an eye-catching top of $540.00/cwt:
- Average bull value: ~$3,876 per head
- Top of market at 1,216 lbs: ~$6,567 per head
Veal: Light End Running Hot
The lightweight veal market was the most eye-popping category this week.
- Over 600 lbs: 530 head averaged $374.05/cwt at 808 lbs → ~$3,023 per head
- 126–300 lbs: 147 head averaged $1,886.24/cwt at 148 lbs → ~$2,792 per head
- 125 lbs and under: 1,011 head averaged $2,263.56/cwt at 103 lbs → ~$2,331 per head
That's right — a 103 lb veal calf was selling for $2,263/cwt on average, topping out at $3,350/cwt. The light-end veal market continues to run extremely strong.
Stockers: Feeder Prices Reflect Grass Season Demand
Spring stocker demand showed up clearly in the lighter weight classes.
Large Frame Stocker Steers:
- 500 lbs and under (167 head, avg 394 lbs): averaged $1,050.17/cwt → ~$4,138 per head, topped at $3,687.50/cwt
- 501–600 lbs (219 head, avg 551 lbs): averaged $709.50/cwt → ~$3,909 per head
- 601–700 lbs (223 head, avg 643 lbs): averaged $629.52/cwt → ~$4,048 per head
- Over 1,000 lbs (584 head, avg 1,054 lbs): averaged $463.50/cwt → ~$4,885 per head
Large Frame Stocker Heifers:
- 501–600 lbs (228 head, avg 554 lbs): averaged $613.37/cwt → ~$3,398 per head
- 601–700 lbs (255 head, avg 657 lbs): averaged $559.61/cwt → ~$3,677 per head
The Week in One Line
Fed cattle averaged around $5,300–$5,500 per head. Cull cows held at $3,200. Stocker calves ran $3,900–$4,900 per head depending on frame and weight class. Veal calves under 125 lbs averaged $2,331 per head and topped at over $3,400. Volume was solid across all classes.
Source: Beef Farmers of Ontario — Weekly Market Summary, Sale dates May 15–21, 2026. All $/cwt figures are per 100 lbs live weight. Per-head values are calculated by multiplying average price by average weight. Data updated May 22, 2026.