HOGS STEADY
U.S. producers are on schedule sending pigs to market, but hogs will start to grow faster and reach market-ready status sooner as temperatures warm in the Midwest.
The Canadian dollar rose more than one cent US, putting pressure on Canadian prices.
In Canada, the Signature three price was C$70.47 per hundredweight, down from $72.36 the previous week.
Ron Plain and Scott Brown of the University of Missouri think the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s March 25 hogs and pigs report might show a slightly reduced breeding herd because hogs in the U.S. have been unprofitable in recent months.
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The deputy chief economist of Farm Credit Canada says 92 per cent of Canada’s total exports to the U.S. went into the country duty-free in June.
Iowa-southern Minnesota hogs delivered were US$46.50-$48.75 per cwt. March 4, little changed from $46.50-$48.50 Feb. 26.
U.S. hogs averaged $61.96 on a carcass basis March 4, down from $62.22 Feb. 26. The U.S. pork cutout was $75.22 per cwt. March 4, down from $75.50 Feb. 26.
The estimated U.S. weekly slaughter for the week to March 4 was 2.225 million, up from 2.211 million the previous week.
Slaughter was 2.213 million last year at the same time.
BISON STRONG
The Canadian Bison Association said Grade A bulls in the desirable weight range sold at prices up to C$6 per pound hot hanging weight. U.S. buyers are offering US$4.35 with returns dependent on exchange rates, quality and export costs.
Grade A heifers sold up to C$5.75. U.S. buyers are offering US$4.10.
Animals outside the desirable buyer specifications may be discounted.
SHEEP STEADY
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported that 559 sheep and lambs and 40 goats traded Feb. 29.
Sheep, goats and new crop lambs sold at steady prices. Heavy lambs traded steady to stronger.
