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SASKATOON (Staff) – The best slaughter cattle prices came early last week. Canfax reported sales started out steady, but lost ground as bids from packers were sluggish. By Feb. 2, trade was down by $2 on steers and $3 on heifers. Steers were priced between $91.25 and $93.60 while heifers were priced between $88-92. A few heifer calves brought a $2 premium.
Cash fat cattle prices faltered at $74.50 in the U.S. and were down by about $2 by the end of the week on sparse demand
The cow market is holding steady, despite the decline in the fat cattle market and a kill that’s running 20 percent ahead of this time last year. Canfax reports prices for D1 and D2 cows at $52-$60 per cwt., with sales to $62.75. Alberta rail-grade bids ranged between $108 and $111.
There also seems to be a wide spread developing between 750 lb. and 650 lb. feeder cattle rising to nine cents from five for lighter weight calves. Canfax said the spread has widened because buyers are leery of cattle that will finish during the summer cattle market.
