Experts say a shrinking cow herd is driving demand and that's pushing up calf prices to the highest they have ever been. It’s a pay day many ranchers have been banking on.

Earlier this year, some of the largest meat-packing plants in Alberta temporarily closed due to COVID-19 outbreaks, leaving a lot of uncertainty for beef producers. Despite all that, calf prices are holding strong as sale season starts.

At Balog Auctions annual video livestock sale 6,600 calves went through the ring. Buyers and sellers were keeping an eye on the price, watching just how far it's fallen from last year.