Week of July 28 – Aug 1, 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 volume of feeder cattle sold in Saskatchewan auction marts was down 55 per cent last week.  Sales volumes were reported at 1,979 head, sharply lower from last week's 4,237 head.  Year-to-date, total Saskatchewan feeder volume has been 384,156 head, representing a seven-per-cent increase compared to last year.  Feeder cattle prices in Saskatchewan were generally lower in both the steer and heifer markets.  Steers 400-500 lb. traded lower this week, down $3 per cwt.  Steers 500-600 lb. ended lower, down $2 per cwt.  Steers 600-700 lb. were sharply lower, down $4 per cwt.  Steers 700-800 lb. traded $2 per cwt. lower.  Steers 800-900 lb. were the lone bright spot last week, trading $1 per cwt. higher.  Heavy steers (900+) ended the week $1 per cwt. lower.  Heifers 400-500 lb. traded $1 per cwt. lower.  Heifer's 500-600 lb. finished the week lower, down $5 per cwt., while heifers 600-700 lb. were hit the hardest last week - down $7 per cwt.  Heifers 700-800 lb. lost $3 per cwt.  Heavy heifers (800+ lb.) ended lower, down $3 per cwt.

The Canadian dollar (noon) traded lower against the U.S. dollar last week.  The dollar traded at an average of US$0.9759, down from the previous week's average of US$0.9907.  Canfax projected Alberta 750 lb. feeder steer basis is -12.56, while the 850 lb. basis is -14.02.

Fed Cattle and Slaughter Cows

Western Canadian fed cattle prices traded lower for the third consecutive week. Alberta fed cattle prices were lower - steers finished down $1.65 per cwt., while heifers were down $1.32 per cwt. Saskatchewan fed steers ended the week $1.88 per cwt. lower. Canadian exports of fed cattle to the U.S. were six per cent lower last week. Canfax reported 7,711 head were sent south, down from 8,185 the week previous. Strong demand for D1,2 cows pushed prices higher this week, with an average price of $54.12 per cwt. compared to $50.75 per cwt. the week previous. The Saskatchewan/Nebraska cash basis for fed cattle widened further this week to $-9.21 from $-6.16 per cwt.

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