Fed cattle prices rose last week
SASKATOON (Staff) – Fed cattle prices were up between 50 cents and $1 last week, boosted by aggressive packer bids and some action from American buyers, mostly in southern Alberta.
Yearlings and two year olds are still dominating the mix of cattle that feedlots are putting up, but there’s a few more calves in the mix and Canfax reports the younger stock were fetching a $1.50 premium. Quality, in other words, was varied and there seems to be plenty of clean-up cattle being sold. March 3 trade had steers priced between $92.80 and $95.75 with heifers $93.75-$95.55.
Read Also
VIDEO: Ag in Motion documentary launches second season
The second season of the the Western Producer’s documentary series about Ag in Motion launched Oct. 8.
The American markets were stronger last week, with prices on the southern plains approaching $75 (U.S.). That price, coupled with a Canadian dollar that closed below $74 (U.S.), should keep U.S. buyers in the bidding for Canadian cattle.
Slaughter cow prices were helped by that lower exchange rate last week, with prices for D1 and D2 cows trading between $56 and $66 a hundredweight, and some sales to $69.75. The number of feeder cattle on offer was higher last week, but still down by a third compared to what was being sold a year ago. Feeder cattle prices were down by a dollar per cwt., mostly due to poorer quality. Demand for grass cattle was active.
Hog prices a bit lower
Hog prices continued to back off the high prices set during a frigid January and February. Packers have sent prices lower as they’re not making their margin. The pooled Index 100 prices was down by 50 cents per hundred kilograms in Alberta; $1.60 in Saskatchewan and $2.46 in Manitoba.
