The Numbers This Week
Week ending Thursday, October 8, 2026. Fed cattle found some traction, cull cows took a step back, and the feeder pens saw solid interest across weight classes. Here's what actually happened at the rings and in the trade.
Fed Cattle: Steers Up, Heifers Up Bigger
Fed steers (Large & Medium Frame, 1,250+ lbs) averaged $299.82/cwt this week, up $2.32 from last week's $297.50. On a 1,400 lb steer, that's roughly $4,197 per head, about $32 more than last week. Fed heifers (1,000+ lbs) averaged $292.22/cwt, up $6.41 from $285.81. A 1,200 lb heifer brings about $3,507 per head, nearly $77 more than a week ago.
Compared to last year, steers are $4.86/cwt lower and heifers are $17.93/cwt lower. That's roughly $68 less per steer and $215 less per heifer than the same week in 2025.
Direct-to-packer railgrade trade held at $505.00/cwt for both A-grade steers and heifers, steady with last week. Only 447 head moved through auction markets, down 41 head from the previous week but 128 head larger than the same week last year. Auction markets reported active, stronger trade at Brussels Livestock.
At Denfield (Oct 6), fed steers averaged $308.80 and heifers $307.28. At Aylmer (Oct 7), heifers averaged $284.10 with dairy-cross steers at $266.90.
Cull Cows: Down Across the Board
Cull cow receipts were 1,623 head, 44 more than last week but 151 fewer than last year. Cows averaged $164.54/cwt, down $10.87 from last week's $175.41 and down $15.75 from year-ago levels. For a 1,400 lb cow, that's about $2,304 per head, roughly $152 less than last week.
Beef cow prices specifically averaged $188.07/cwt, down $7.67 from the previous week and $6.06 below year-ago prices. Auction markets reported a large offering of cull cows that sold barely steady.
Stockers and Feeders: Steers Up, Heifers Up Bigger
Total stocker and feeder receipts hit 6,227 head, down 435 from last week but 392 more than the same week last year. Overall, steer prices were up $2.24/cwt on average and heifer prices were up $10.99/cwt.
Some notable steer moves by weight class:
- 400-499 lbs: $700.30/cwt avg, up $6.99. That's about $3,151 for a 450 lb steer.
- 500-599 lbs: $642.80/cwt avg, up $5.51. Roughly $3,535 for a 550 lb steer.
- 600-699 lbs: $570.15/cwt avg, down $6.40.
- 700-799 lbs: $518.65/cwt avg, down $12.57.
- 900-999 lbs: $474.34/cwt avg, up $11.63.
- 1,000+ lbs: $434.67/cwt avg, up $9.14.
On the heifer side, lighter cattle surged: 300-399 lb heifers jumped $53.41/cwt to $727.78, and 400-499 lb heifers gained $34.54 to $636.23. Heavier heifer classes (500-700 lbs) softened by $7-24/cwt. Auction markets reported all classes sold fully steady.
At the individual sale barns, Brussels (Oct 2) moved 975 stockers, Keady (Oct 2) moved 1,122, and Ontario Stockyards (Oct 8) sold 824 head. Top prices included a 399-lb-and-under steer at Ontario Livestock Exchange hitting $1,650.00/cwt.
Exports: Eastern Trade Well Below Last Year
For the week ending September 26, Eastern fed cattle and cow exports to the U.S. were 1,783 head, 48% lower than last year and 28% below the five-year average. YTD Eastern exports are down 8% from 2025.
Eastern feeder exports came in at 825 head, 4% higher than last year but 21% below the five-year average. YTD feeder exports are down 6%.
Total live slaughter cattle exported through Ontario ports that week: 1,746 head (1,652 steers/heifers/cows, 94 bulls).
Western and U.S. Context
The Quebec electronic market traded at $498.00-498.25/cwt dressed. Alberta direct trade saw dressed sales at $495-500/cwt, steady to $5/cwt higher. Saskatchewan had a small group at $300/cwt FOB the feedlot. For September, Alberta fed steers averaged $297/cwt, down $16 (-5%) from August.
The Alberta cash-to-futures basis sits at -12.08, the third weakest in the last decade. Historically, October is when basis hits its annual low.
In the U.S., Northern dressed trade was $345-350/cwt, steady to $5 softer. Live trade ranged $220-221/cwt. Southern trade held at $226/cwt in Kansas and Texas. The roughly $6/cwt North-South spread drew Southern packers north. Choice cutout values could see further downward pressure over the next couple weeks, possibly revisiting the low $360s/cwt.
Grain and Macro
USDA's quarterly grain stocks report showed corn ending stocks on September 1 at 2.1 billion bushels, up 35% from last year and 173 million bushels above the September WASDE estimate. December corn dropped 22 cents per bushel on the news. Cheaper feed is a tailwind for feeder cattle margins.
Overseas, Brazil has filled its China quota and now faces a 67% tariff, effectively shutting Brazil out of its largest beef export market until November shipping for January resumes. That could tighten global beef supply into year-end.
Upcoming Sales
- Oct 16: Denfield Livestock Exchange (Vaccinated Calves & Yearlings), Brussels Livestock (4-H Show & Sale), Ontario Stockyards Inc (Special Fall Yearling Sale)
- Oct 17: Brussels Livestock (Charolais Influence Sale), Ontario Livestock Exchange (Special Bred Heifer Sale), Temiskaming Livestock Exchange (Special Calf and Yearling Sale)
- Oct 19: Maple Hill Auctions Ltd ("Up the Ante" Charolais Female Sale)
- Oct 21: Maple Hill Auctions (Fall Stocker sale), Kawartha Lakes Community Sale Barn (Calves, Farm Fresh), Stratton-Rainy River Cattlemen's Sale, Thessalon-Algoma Co-op Livestock Sales
Bottom Line
Fed cattle found a bid this week, especially heifers. Cull cows softened on larger offerings. Feeder cattle held steady with strength in the lighter weights. Cheaper corn and Brazil's China shutdown are the macro stories worth watching. Basis remains historically weak in Alberta, but October is typically the floor. With a busy sale calendar next week including several special breed sales, we'll see if the feeder momentum carries.
Data sourced from the Beef Farmers of Ontario Weekly Market Report. Published every Saturday by The Butcher's Journal.