The VJV Ponoka cattle auction on August 12, 2026 saw a dramatic jump in numbers with 1,829 head sold, up from just 335 the week before and 454 two weeks earlier, according to the market report.
Producers and buyers saw notable price shifts across several categories. Light steers in the 300-399 pound range sold for $750-$950 per hundredweight, while heifers in the same weight class brought $650-$870. Slaughter cow prices eased slightly, with D3-D4 cows selling for $210-$229 per hundredweight, down from $220-$239 the previous week.
The surge in volume came at a time when provincial auction numbers have been running below average. According to Alberta Beef Producers weekly market report, auction volumes across Alberta in early August were 40 per cent smaller than the same week last year and 35 per cent below the five-year average.
VJV Ponoka, operated by Vold, Jones and Vold Auction Co. Ltd., has deep roots in the community dating back to 1957 when Ralph and Harry Vold partnered with Bill and Shorty Jones to buy the Ponoka market. Henry and Andrea Thalen have owned the business since August 2014. The facility can handle up to 8,000 head and runs three selling rings each Wednesday.
Looking ahead, the broader Canadian cattle market remains strong despite seasonal declines in fed cattle prices. Farm Credit Canada’s 2026 cattle outlook forecasts prices will ease from 2025 peaks but stay well above the five-year average through this year and into 2027, supported by tight herd numbers.
