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Cattle Market Update Week of May 19 – May 23, 2008This information is provided as a resource by Saskatchewan Agriculture staff.
Feeder Cattle
Volume of feeder cattle through the auction ring was down last week. Saskatchewan auctions reported 9,399 head sold, down from 13,090 head the week previous. Year-to-date sales are consistent with last year's volumes, however, sales are 40 per cent higher than the same week last year. Feeder cattle prices in the province were mixed, with steers holding steady to higher prices. Heifer prices were mixed with smaller animals higher to unchanged and larger heifers slightly lower. Steers 300-500 lb. sales reported a $2 per cwt. increase, while 500-600 lb. steers were up $1 per cwt. Prices held flat for steers weighing 600-800 lb. Steers 800-900+ felt strong demand as prices increased $1 per cwt. Light weight heifers, 300-400 lb. were up $4 per cwt. last week. Heifers 400-600 lb. experienced no price change last week. Heifers 600-800 lb. were down slightly on average, down $1 per cwt. Heavy heifers (800+) were unchanged for the week. The Canadian dollar (noon) traded at an average of US$1.012 this week, higher than last week's average of US$0.9994. The Canfax projected Alberta feeder steer (750 lb.) basis for the nearby May contract is -6.98.
Fed Cattle and Slaughter Cows Fed cattle prices in Western Canada were weaker this week, on the Canadian dollar moving above par again. Saskatchewan fed steers were down $1.25 per cwt. Alberta fed cattle prices were also down, with steers losing $1.08 per cwt. and heifers trading $0.69 per cwt. lower. Sales volume of fed cattle was slightly under 21,000 head, unchanged from last week. The USDA reported exports of fed cattle to the U.S. 10,762, up approximately 5 per cent from 10,215 head. According to Canfax and the USDA fed cattle year-to-date exports are down 11 per cent, at 312, 159 head. D1,2 cows recorded an average price of $46.32 per cwt. compared to $46.92 per cwt. the week previous. The Saskatchewan/Nebraska cash basis for fed cattle weakened this week to $-4.92 from $-4.00 per cwt.
Bred Heifers, Bred Cows and Cow/Calf Pairs
For more information, contact the Livestock Development Branch: |
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