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.

The volume of feeder cattle going through the auction ring was up last week across Western Canada.  Saskatchewan saw volumes slip this week, with auctions reporting 8,906 head sold, down from 9,399 head the week previous.  According to Canfax, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were higher this week on strong demand, with steers averaging $0.71 higher and heifers $1.14 higher.  Feeder cattle prices in the province were mostly steady in both steer and heifer markets.  Steers 300-400 lb. were up $1 per cwt.  Prices were steady for steers weighing 400-800 lb.  Steers 800-900 were up $1 per cwt. for the second consecutive week.  Heavy steers (900+) were $2 per cwt. higher.  Light weight heifers (300-400 lb.) gave back last week's gains, down $4 per cwt.  Heifers 400-500 lb. were $2 per cwt. higher, while heifers 500-600 lbs. were up $1 per cwt.  Heifers 600-800 lb. increased $2 per cwt.  Heavy heifers (800+) were unchanged for the second straight week.

The Canadian dollar (noon) remained strong last week, trading slightly above par with the American greenback.  The dollar traded at an average of US$1.009 this week, slightly lower than last week's average of US$1.012.  The Canfax projected Alberta feeder steer (750 lb.) basis for the nearby May contract is -12.77, while the 850 basis was $20.17.

Overbought live futures contracts and secured cattle supplies allowed packers to lower bids last week, pushing fed cattle prices down in Western Canada.  Alberta fed cattle prices were $0.33 per cwt. lower for steers, while heifers felt a $0.59 per cwt. increase this week.  Saskatchewan fed steers were down $0.75 per cwt.  Sales volume of fed cattle was above 22,000 head, up from last week.  The USDA reported exports of fed cattle to the U.S. at 7,849, down sharply from 10,762 head.  D1,2 cows were down this week, recording an average price of $45.10 per cwt. compared to $46.32 per cwt. the week previous.  The Saskatchewan/Nebraska cash basis for fed cattle weakened this week to $-5.48 from $-4.92 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