Week of November 26 -- 30, 2007

This information is provided as a resource by SAF staff.  All stated prices are averages. Please use this information at your own risk.
All prices are quoted in Canadian dollars per hundredweight ($/cwt.) unless otherwise stated.

Feeder Cattle

Canadian feeder cattle prices continued to trade higher again this week, as prices in both the steer and heifer markets increased across all of Canada.  Markets saw an increase in cattle prices as the dollar was steadily trading lower, slightly above par with the Greenback.  Saskatchewan feeder cattle were generally trading in the positives, with the exception of 400-500 lb. steers.  Saskatchewan auction markets' sales were up sharply this week, with 33,914 head moving through the ring, up from last week's 27,027 head.  Light weight steers (300-400 lb.) were up $4 per cwt., while steers 400-500 lb. were unchanged.  Steers 500-700 lb. all experienced price increases of $3 per cwt.  Steers 700- 900 lb. were up $4 per cwt.  Heavy steers (900+ lb.) experienced a price increase of $2 per cwt.  Light weight heifers (300-400 lb.) were trading $6 per cwt. for the second straight week.  Heifers 400-500 lb. were up $4 per cwt. for the week.  Heifers weighing 500-600 lb. were up $5 per cwt.  Six hundred-700 lb. heifers were trading $4 per cwt.  Heifers 700-800 lb. traded $2 per cwt., while heavy heifers (800+ lb.) traded $3 per cwt. higher this week.  Although Saskatchewan feeder prices have been rising in recent weeks prices are between $6 cwt. and $17 cwt., lower that a year ago, according to Canfax.

Fed Cattle & Slaughter Cows

The fed cattle market in Western Canada experienced a price increase again this week, as the dollar traded lower settling out slightly above par.  Saskatchewan fed steers experienced a price increase of $2.25 per cwt., while the heifer market increased $2.00 per cwt. for the week ending November 30.  Fed cattle exports to the United States although remained strong this week, traded lower with 19,334, down from 24,341 head the previous week.  D1,2 cows values remained flat for the second consecutive week, with the average price of slaughter cows trading for $30.60 per cwt.

Bred Heifers, Bred Cows & Cow/Calf Pairs

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a new publication for cattle producers.  This quarterly production and marketing report has been designed to provide relevant information and understanding of current events from a variety of national and international sources.   This new publication is available on the Ministry of Agriculture website:

Nov. 27, 2007 - Production and Marketing Report, November 2007
http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Production-Marketing-Report

For more information contact the Livestock Development Branch:
Craig Klemmer
Livestock Development Specialist
953-2772
cklemmer@agr.gov.sk.ca