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Cattle Market Update - 2008 Reports Week of January 20 - 25, 2008This information is provided as a resource by Saskatchewan Agriculture staff. All prices are quoted in Canadian dollars per hundredweight ($/cwt.) unless otherwise stated. Feeder Cattle
Saskatchewan auction marts reported higher trading this week, with sales reported at 12,619 head, up from 10,513 the week previous. Saskatchewan feeder cattle prices were generally higher across all levels of steers and heifers, with a few exceptions in the steers market. This week's higher prices were a surprise, as the Canadian dollar and feed prices continue to pressure cattle prices. Barley had an average cash price of $176.53 per tonne for the par region. The Lethbridge cash price was 215.00/tonne at the beginning of the week; however, Friday's price ended lower at 210.00 per tonne. The Canadian dollar was relatively stable, trading at an average price of US$0.978. Light weight steers (300-400 lb.) bounced back this week, up $5 per cwt., while steers 400-500 lb. were trading $4 per cwt. higher. Steers 500-600 lb. experienced a price increase of $5 per cwt. Steers 600-700 lb. traded up $2 per cwt. Steers 700-800 lb experienced a price increase of $1 per cwt., while 800-900 lb. steers traded $1 per cwt. lower. Heavy steers (900+ lb.) were unchanged for the second consecutive week. Light weight heifers (300-400 lb.) were up $4 per cwt. for the week. Heifers 400-500 lb. traded $2 per cwt. higher. Heifers 500-800+ lb. traded up this week, up $1 per cwt. The Saskatchewan/Nebraska cash basis was $6.78 for the week, from $7.36 the week previous.
Fed Cattle & Slaughter Cows Western Canada's fed cattle market recovered slightly this week as Alberta-fed steers experienced a price increase of $1.00 per cwt., and fed heifers were up $0.25 per cwt. Saskatchewan-fed steers were down $0.50 per cwt. for the second straight week. Fed cattle exports to the United States were further strengthened this week, as 20,181 head moved south, up approximately 5,000 head from 15,057 head the week previous. D1,2 cows recorded an average price for slaughter cows of $31.23 per cwt., unchanged from the week previous. The United States released their cattle on feed numbers last week. January 2008 inventory was reported to be 1% higher than last year with 7.65 million steers and 4.38 million heifers. It was also reported that December recorded a slow month for marketing fed cattle with 1.65 million head, up 1% from last year, however down 4% from 2006. Bred Heifers, Bred Cows & Cow/Calf Pairs
For more information contact the Livestock Development Branch:
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