Canada’s feedlots, mostly situated in Alberta and Saskatchewan, on Oct. 1 closed ranks with last year and the 2019-2023 average.
That conclusion came from graph by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver, which received the data from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattle Association. Canfax surveys member feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan monthly for a variety of feedlot performance points and shares the on-feed and placement number with the LMIC, which then compiles and publishes it on its website.
ON-FEED NUMBERS TAKE SEASONAL BOUNCE
After running below 2024 and the previous five-year average all year, the number of cattle populating Canada’s feedlots took a seasonal bounce to a point in between Oct. 1 last year and the 2019-2023 average.
On Oct. 1, Canada’s feedlots held 848,203 head of cattle, up 96,886, or 12.9%, from the 2025 low in September of 751,317. The Oct. 1 point also was up 5,191, or 0.62%, from 843,012 head last year but down 1,954, or 0.23%, from the five-year average of 850,157.
Canada’s feedlot densities always rise in the fall as calves are brought in from pastures declining in feed value seasonally. This often starts in mid- to late summer and continues into the fall.
Going forward, the number of cattle on feed in Canada should rise through December and begin declining in January. This decline will last to the Sep. 1 annual low, barring an unusual event.
Comparisons to Oct. 1 US cattle on feed numbers will have to wait. The monthly report was a victim of the US government shutdown.
However, on Sep. 1, there were 11.080 million head on feed on Sep. 1 in the US. This was down about 1% from 11.198 million a year earlier.
PLACEMENTS UP
Not only did Canada’s monthly feedlot placements rise seasonally in September, but they also were larger than either last year or the previous five-year average.
Canada’s September feedlot placements totaled 250,405 head, up 118,561, or 89.9%, from 131,844 a month earlier, up 126,001, or 33.5%, from 376,406 in the year-ago September and up 18,054, or 7.77%, from the 2019-2023 average of 232,351.
If the seasonal trend holds, Canada’s monthly feedlot placements should rise to their annual high point in October and then fall off quickly through December.
The total on feed tends to keep rising through December because there are enough younger cattle there from mid-summer placements to keep the population growing. There’s always a lag.
August US placements totaled 1.780 million, down about 10% from 1.976 million a year earlier.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers last week ranged from $234.39 per cwt to $237.11, compared with the previous week’s range of $230.70 to $241.00 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $365.05 per cwt to $373.86, compared with $360.27 to $375.71.
The USDA choice cutout Friday was up $0.66 per cwt at $366.77 while select was up $1.34 at $350.27. The choice/select spread narrowed to $16.50 from $17.832 with 158 loads of fabricated product and 42 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef as $420.09 per cwt, and 50% beef was $138.92.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $0.90 to $1.15 a bushel over the Dec corn contract, which settled at $4.22 1/2, up $0.00 3/4.
No new live cattle delivery intentions were tendered Friday.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Thursday was $376.51 per cwt, up $1.41. This compares with Friday’s Oct contract settlement of $371.95, down $7.72.