Week of Nov. 10 – Nov. 14, 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 moving through Saskatchewan auction rings continued to decline this week as we approach mid-November.  Sales volumes were down approximately seven per cent to 42,231 head, compared to 45,503.  Canadian exports of feeder cattle were reported at 8,600 head, down 15 per cent from the previous week's 10,095 head.

Saskatchewan feeder cattle prices were mixed this week in both the steer and heifer markets.  Steers (300-400 lb.) closed the week unchanged from last week's prices.  Four hundred-500 lb. steers gained $2 per cwt. for the second consecutive week.  Steers 500-600 lb. finished trading $2 per cwt. higher.  Steers 600-700 lb. finished the week down $1 per cwt.  Steers 700-900 lb. ended the week unchanged.  Heavy steers (900+ lb.) gave back most of last week's gains, falling $3 per cwt.  Light-weight heifers (300-400 lb.) closed $1 per cwt. lower.  Heifers 400-600 lb. finished the week $1 per cwt. lower, while 600-800 lb. heifers ended the week steady.  Heavy heifers (800+ lb.) were slightly lower, down $1 per cwt.  The Canfax projected Alberta 750 lb. feeder steer basis is $-20.56, while the 850 lb. basis is $-19.49.

The Canadian dollar (noon) slid sharply this week, trading on average at US$0.8198, compared to the previous week's average of US$0. 8531.

Fed Cattle and Slaughter Cows

Western Canadian fed cattle prices were stronger this week.  Alberta fed steers were $1.21 per cwt. higher, while fed heifers rose $0.59 per cwt.  Sales volume for the week was reported at just under 15,500 head, 18 per cent less than last week, according to Canfax.  Canadian exports of fed cattle to the U.S. were reported at 11,503 head, 11 per cent lower than last week's volume of 12,962 head. 

D1,2 cows moved higher this week, reporting an average price of $39.05 per cwt., an increase of nearly $3 per cwt. from $36.24 per cwt. the week previous.  The Saskatchewan/Nebraska cash basis for fed cattle this week was reported at $-16.46 per cwt.

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