The Week in Numbers
The Beef Farmers of Ontario released their weekly market report for the week ending Thursday, October 1, 2026, and the numbers tell a story of steadying fed cattle prices, softer cull cow values, and a stocker market that's still finding its footing as fall sales hit full stride.
Fed Cattle: Holding the Line
Ontario auction sales showed weighted average prices for large and medium frame steers (+1250 lbs) at $297.50/cwt, down slightly from $299.24 last week. Heifers (+1000 lbs) averaged $285.81/cwt, off from $291.89 a week ago. The top of the market told a different story, with heifers hitting $342.50/cwt and steers topping out at $329.00.
On a carcass weight basis, A Grade steers and heifers both held at $505.00/cwt direct to packer, unchanged and firm.
What that looks like on a real animal: A 1,400 lb fed steer at the average brought about $4,165. A 1,400 lb heifer came in around $4,001. The top-end heifer at $342.50 on the same weight would have grossed $4,795.
Cull Cows: Down a Notch
Cows averaged $175.41/cwt across all weights, down from $169.58 last week. Wait, that's actually up $5.83. The range was wide as always, from $140.89 to a stunning $570.89/cwt top. A 1,200 lb cow at the average brought about $2,105. The top-end cow at $570.89 on 1,200 lbs would have grossed $6,851, a premium animal by any measure.
Bulls softened slightly to $249.55/cwt average from $252.91 last week. A 1,500 lb bull at the average was worth about $3,743.
Stocker Market: Mixed Signals
Stocker prices were a mixed bag this week. The 1000+ lb steers averaged $425.53/cwt, basically flat against last week's $427.21. But the middle weights told a different story. The 800-899 lb steers climbed to $491.66 from $478.83, a gain of $12.83/cwt. The 600-699 lb steers jumped to $576.55 from $564.01.
Lighter cattle softened. The 400-499 lb steers dropped to $693.31 from $716.42, and under-399s fell to $749.89 from $775.67. That's a $25.78/cwt slide on the lightest end.
Real dollar math: A 500 lb stocker steer at $576.55/cwt was worth about $2,883. A 400 lb steer at $693.31/cwt brought $2,773. The top 400 lb steer at $885/cwt grossed $3,540.
Stocker heifers followed a similar pattern. The 800-899 lb heifers averaged $445.85, up from $425.29. But 400-499 lb heifers dropped to $601.69 from $629.07.
Sale Barn Roundup
Activity was heavy across the province this week:
- Brussels Livestock (Sep 25): 1,251 stockers sold. Steers 1000+ averaged $410.66, topping at $460. Light steers under 399 hit $730.00 average.
- Rainy River (Sep 26): 939 stockers. Steers 1000+ averaged $401.60, top $425.99.
- Keady Livestock (Sep 29): 767 stockers. Steers 1000+ averaged $444.21, top $465.00.
- Denfield Livestock Exchange (Sep 29): 127 fed cattle, 78 cows. Fed steers averaged $307.20, topped at $316.00. Fed heifers averaged $304.93, top $334.50.
- Ontario Livestock Exchange (Oct 1): 1,116 stockers. Steers 1000+ averaged $385.91. Light steers under 399 averaged $711.79, topping at $1,025.
- Ontario Stockyards Inc (Oct 1): 960 stockers. 800-899 steers averaged $499.72, top $525. Light steers under 399 averaged $828.13, topping at $1,010.
Carcass Weights: Steers Heavier Than Last Year
Average carcass weights for the week ending September 26 came in at 974 lbs for steers (down from 976 last week but up from 957 a year ago) and 889 lbs for heifers (up from 886 last week and 884 last year). Steers are carrying 17 lbs more carcass than the same week in 2025, which means more beef per animal hitting the rail.
Exports and Processing
Ontario exported 2,000 live slaughter cattle to the U.S. for the week ending September 19. Year-to-date exports total 370,191 head, a pace worth watching as the fall run ramps up.
Federally inspected processing for the week ending September 26 was 10,790 head. Year to date, that's 114,648 steers and 109,777 heifers, with 4,871 bulls processed.
Imports of pure bred cattle total 5,161 head year to date, with non-pure bred at 266,158, up from 2025.
The Bottom Line
Fed cattle held firm this week with packer pricing at $505/cwt and auction averages mostly within a few dollars of last week. Cull cows saw a modest bump, but bulls softened. The stocker market is splitting, with middle weights gaining ground while lighter cattle slipped. Carcass weights running above last year mean more beef on the rail, and the export pipeline to the U.S. stays steady. With the fall run in full swing and big numbers moving through provincial sale barns, next week's report should be another busy one.
Data sourced from the Beef Farmers of Ontario Weekly Market Report. Published every Saturday by The Butcher's Journal.