In the second quarter, the number of cows killed killed in Alberta rose 28 per cent over the second quarter in 2001, going from 48,000 head to 61,000 head. Exports, representing about 21,000 cattle, have been up by 21 per cent.

Small says the impact on cattle prices was not notable as of the third week of July. But in Alberta, the surplus coming on to the market is taking a toll. Anne Dunford, a cattle analyst for Canfax in Calgary, said culled cows were selling last year for 55 cents to 60 cents per lb. but as summer wore on moved into the low 70 price range. But cow culls are already going for as low as 40 cents per lb.

The increase in grain prices will also take a toll, she says, the result of hot, wilting conditions in much of the U.S. corn and soybean growing areas.

Dunford says Alberta cattle are headed to every province from Quebec west, with the favourite spots eastern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta.

Cow-calf pairs are being separated and sold, which could lead to a very strange market in the fall, Dunford says. "There are a lot (of calves) in it (marketplace) now but there won’t be as many in it in the fall." She doesn’t see that the Alberta drought will make much difference to fall stocker sales in Ontario.

The immediate future of the market is in the hands of nature, says Dunford, pointing out that the Alberta prairie has been scorched week after week with temperatures above 30 C.