Week of May 12 – May 16, 2008

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.

Feeder Cattle

The number of feeder cattle moving through Saskatchewan's auction rings this week was relatively unchanged from last week -- 13,090 head compared to 13,602 the previous week.  Saskatchewan feeder cattle prices were higher this week, with the exception of light weight steers.    Light weight steers (300-400 lb.) were down $2 per cwt.  Steers 400-500 lb. traded up $1 per cwt., while 500-600 lb. were steady for the second consecutive week.  Steers 600-700 lb. were up $1 per cwt., while 700-800 lb steers traded $2 per cwt. higher.  Eight hundred to 900 lb. steers and heavy steers (900+ lb.) both traded higher this week, up $2 per cwt.  Four hundred to 500 lb. heifers were up $2 per cwt.  Heifers 500-600 lb. traded $3 per cwt. higher.  Heifers 600-700 lb. traded up $2 per cwt.  Heifers 700-800 lb. traded $3 per cwt. higher, while heavy heifers (800+ lb.) experienced a price increase of $2 per cwt.  The Canadian dollar (noon) traded at an average of US$0.9994 this week, marginally higher than last week's average of US$0.9923.  The Canfax projected Alberta feeder steer (750 lb.) basis for the nearby May contract is -10.81.

Fed Cattle & Slaughter Cows

Western Canadian fed cattle prices held steady, as packer demand continued to be relatively strong.  Alberta fed steer and heifer prices were unchanged.  Saskatchewan fed steer prices were down again this week, losing $0.75 per cwt.  Sales volume of fed cattle was slightly under 21,000 head, up four per cent from last week.  The USDA reported that exports to the U.S. were down three per cent to 10,215 head, compared with the previous week's trade of 10,505 head.  Slaughter cows were down slightly.  D1,2 cows recorded an average price of $46.92 per cwt. compared to $46.76 per cwt. the week previous.  The Saskatchewan/Nebraska cash basis for fed cattle improved this week to $-4.00 from $-5.96 per cwt. 

For more information contact the Livestock Development Branch:
Craig Klemmer
Livestock Development Specialist
Telephone:  (306) 953-2772
E-mail:  craig.klemmer@gov.sk.ca