This information is provided as a resource by Saskatchewan Agriculture 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.

Across Western Canada, the feeder cattle trade was down sharply compared to last week.   Poorer weather in Alberta led to a 50-per-cent reduction in the number of animals going to auction.   Auction marts in Saskatchewan experienced marginally higher volumes - 18,746 head were reported traded, up nearly 10 per cent from the previous week's 17,110 head.  Saskatchewan feeder cattle prices were mixed in the steer market, while heifer trading was higher or unchanged.  Light weight steers (300-400 lb.) traded down $2 per cwt. this week, while 400-500 lb. steers traded $2 per cwt. higher.  Steers 500-600 lb. were unchanged for the second consecutive week.  Steers 600-700 lb. traded marginally higher, up $1 per cwt.  Steers 700-800 lb. were the greatest movers in the steer market - up $3 per cwt.  Eight hundred to 900 lb. steers traded slightly higher, up $1 per cwt., while heavy steers (900+ lb.) were unchanged for the week.  Light weight (300-400 lb.) and 400-500 lb. heifers were both up $2 per cwt. this week.  Heifers 500-700 lb. traded on par with last weeks prices.  Heifers 700-800 lb. traded up $2 per cwt.  Heavy heifers (800+ lb.) experienced a jump in prices up of $3 per cwt.  The average cash price of feed barley for Lethbridge delivery increased $4 per tonne to $238 per tonne, while delivery to the par region (Saskatoon delivery) was down $4 per tonne to approximately $200 per tonne.  The Canadian dollar (noon) traded at an average of US$0.9883 this week, unchanged from last week's average of US$0.9833.  The Canfax projected Alberta feeder steer basis for the nearby May contract is -12.19.

Fed cattle prices experienced another strong week across Western Canada as prices increased on continued strong packer demand.  Canfax commented that "the live futures and cutouts aligned" this week, supporting fed prices.  Alberta fed cattle prices increased $2.50 per cwt. for steers and $2.75 per cwt. for heifers.  The Saskatchewan fed cattle market was also very strong last week, with fed steers gaining $3.50 per cwt.  Sales volume of fed cattle was slightly under 20,000 head, down from the approximately 22,500 head the week previous.  The USDA reported that 13,728 fed cattle were exported to the United States, up from last week's exports of 10,182 head.  D1,2 cows recorded an average price for slaughter cows of $49.50 per cwt., up $2 per cwt. for the second straight week, from $47.42 per cwt.  The Saskatchewan/Nebraska cash basis for fed cattle improved again this week to $-5.47 from $-6.76 per cwt. 

Craig Klemmer
Livestock Development Specialist
Telephone:  (306) 953-2772
craig.klemmer@gov.sk.ca