Hog price climbs
Declining carcass weights supported hog prices, but narrowing packer margins could cap the gains. Packers will need to push pork prices higher to mend their margins.
Restrictions on U.S. poultry exports because of avian flu threaten to increase the amount of low cost chicken and turkey available to compete against pork.
Iowa-southern Minnesota hogs delivered were US$47.50-$48.00 per hundredweight April 17, up from $45-$45.50 April 10.
U.S. hogs averaged $61.71 on a carcass basis April 17, up from $60.10 April 10.
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The U.S. pork cutout rose to $67.99 per cwt. April 17, up from $65.87 April 10.
The estimated U.S. weekly slaughter for the week to April 18 was 2.243 million, up from 2.172 million the previous week.
Slaughter was 2.03 million last year at the same time.
Bison steady
The Canadian Bison Association said Grade A bulls in the desirable weight range sold at prices up to C$5 per pound hot hanging weight. U.S. buyers are offering US$4.10-$4.15 with returns dependent on exchange rates, quality and export costs.
Grade A heifers sold up to C$4.80. U.S. buyers were offering US$3.90.
Animals outside the desirable buyer specifications may be discounted.
Lambs strong
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 658 sheep and 65 goats sold April 13.
Wool lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $230-$400 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $235-$295, 70-85 lb. were $240-$285, 86-105 lb. were $196-$238 and 106 lb. and heavier were $185-$210.
Wool rams were $75-$130 per cwt. Cull ewes were $70-$150 and bred ewes were $220-$430 per head.
Hair lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $250-$360 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $250-$315, 70-85 lb. were $240-$270, 86-105 lb. were $190-$220 and 106 lb. and heavier were $177-$197.
Hair rams were $80-$125 per cwt. Cull ewes were $88-$150 and ewe/lamb family were $300-$500 per unit.
Feeder kids lighter than 60 lb. were $230-$270.
Good kid goats lighter than 70 lb. were $230-$265. Those heavier than 70 lb. were $225-$255 per cwt. Nannies were $120-$150 per cwt. Billies were $125-$150.
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported that 649 sheep and lambs and 45 goats traded April 13.
All classes of good lambs, sheep and goats sold steady to stronger to the pre-Easter sales. There is a strong demand for heavy well-fed lambs.
