|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cattle Market Update Week of April 14 -- 19, 2008This information is provided as a resource by Saskatchewan Agriculture staff. Feeder Cattle
Feeder cattle trade across Western Canada improved this week, with higher volumes and slightly higher prices in both the Alberta steers and heifer markets. Saskatchewan auction marts' volume of cattle was 17,110 head, up approximately nine per cent from the previous week's 15,736 head. Saskatchewan feeder cattle prices were slightly stronger than the steer market, while the heifer market was mixed. Light weight steers (300-400 lb.) traded up $1 per cwt this week. Steers 400-700 lb. were unchanged. Steers 700-900 lb. traded up $1 per cwt. Heavy steers (900+ lb.) traded up $2 per cwt. Light weight heifers (300-400 lb.) and 400-500 lb. heifers were unchanged for the week. Heifers 500-600 lb. and 700-800 lb. were both up $1 per cwt. Heifers 600-700 lb. traded down $1 per cwt. Heavy heifers (800+ lb.) experienced a decline of $1 per cwt. Cash barley prices were higher on average. The average cash price of feed barley for Lethbridge delivery rose $10 per tonne to roughly $234 per tonne, while delivery to the par region (Saskatoon delivery) was approximately $204 per tonne. The Canadian dollar (noon) traded at an average of US$0.9880 this week, up $0.005 from last week's US$0.9833. The Canfax projected Alberta feeder steer basis (850 lb.) for the nearby May contract is -12.19.
Fed Cattle & Slaughter Cows In Western Canada, the fed cattle market moved higher this week on increased packer bids. Alberta fed cattle prices increased $3.25 per cwt. for steers and $2.50 per cwt. for heifers. The Saskatchewan fed cattle market reported gains for fed steers of $3.00 per cwt. Sales volume of fed cattle was slightly under 22,500 head, up over 11 per cent from the approximately 20,000 head the week previous. The USDA reported that 10,182 fed cattle were exported to the United States, down sharply from last week's exports of 15,012 head. D1,2 cows recorded an average price for slaughter cows of $47.42 per cwt., up over $2 per cwt. from $44.92 per cwt. the week previous. The Saskatchewan/Nebraska cash basis for fed cattle was slightly improved to $-6.76 up from $-7.92 per cwt.
For more information contact the Livestock Development Branch: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
