Fed cattle prices up slightly
CALGARY (Staff) – Fed cattle prices were steady and closed $1 higher than the week previous. Steers ranged from $70.25 to $73.20 and heifers, $70 to $72.85.
The feeder trade also gained slightly although plain and ordinary types were harder to sell. Southern Alberta feeders averaged between $74.69 for live-weight steers to $74.80 for the 700-800 pounders. Heifers were lower at $66.89 for 500-pound females to $67.94 in the 700-800 pound division.
The cow trade saw large supplies with a price range of $39-$48, topping at $49-$50.75 for good D1s and 2s.
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WP livestock report – July 24
WP livestock report for hogs, bison and sheep for July 24
The Canadian beef kill numbers are up five percent over last year as more animals continue to move through the system. Carcass weights on all classes of cattle including fed cattle, cows and bulls, remain about the same but additional animals add to the meat supply. So far this year 577,000 steers have been slaughtered, up five percent from 1995 at this time. The greatest increase was in the heifer kill where 340,500 were slaughtered, a 12 percent increase over the first five months of 1995. Ten percent more cows were also killed but 15 percent fewer bulls have been processed.
Hog prices down
Hog prices across the country fell steadily last week due to poor packer returns.
Average prices ranged from $217.17 per ckg in Quebec on 87,608 hogs to $204.50 on 18,973 hogs in Saskatchewan. Manitoba and Alberta were $210.15 and $208.30 respectively. Sows were steady at $140.
The Omaha closing price for the end of May was $57.50 per cwt, down $5.50 from the week before.
Feed grains continue high. Lethbridge barley last week was $175-$192 a tonne. The August close for Western Barley futures was $186.50.
