Hogs rise

Tight supplies, brisk pork de-mand and good margins caused packers to again raise cash bids.

The U.S. national live price average for barrows and gilts was US$56.08 per hundredweight Feb. 17, up from $53.50 per cwt. Feb. 10.

U.S. hogs averaged $72.95 on a carcass basis Feb. 17, up from $70.72 Feb. 10.

The U.S. pork cutout was $84.65 per cwt. Feb. 17, up from $84.46 Feb. 10.

The estimated U.S. weekly slaughter for the week to Feb. 18 was 2.363 million, down from 2.364 million the previous week.

Slaughter was 2.288 million last year at the same time.

In Canada, the Feb. 17 Signature Five price was C$174.79 per 100 kilograms, up from $168.53 the previous week.

On a per hundredweight basis, the price was $79.28, up from $76.44 the previous week.

Bison steady

The Canadian Bison Association said Grade A bulls in the desirable weight range sold at prices up to C$6.25-$6.40 per pound hot hanging weight. U.S. buyers are offering US$4.60 with returns dependent on exchange rates, quality and export costs.

Grade A heifers sold up to C$6-$6.20. U.S. buyers are offering US$4.40.

Animals outside the desirable buyer specifications may be discounted.

Lambs mostly steady

Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported that 702 sheep and 92 goats sold Feb. 13.

Wool lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $240-$260 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $235-$253, 70-85 lb. were $221-250, 86-105 lb. were $190-$225 and 106 lb. and heavier were $184-$193.

Wool rams were $101-$166 per cwt. Cull ewes were $97-$150.

Hair lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $229-$259 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $236-$253, 70-85 lb. were $215-$240, 86-105 lb. were $185-$215 and 106 lb. and heavier were $179-$186.

Hair rams were $101-$140 per cwt. Cull ewes were $112-$135.

Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported that 671 sheep and lambs and 16 goats traded Feb. 13.

New crop lambs sold barely steady.

All classes of sheep, light lambs and goats sold steady. Heavy lambs sold $10-15 higher.