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Western Producer Livestock Report

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Published: April 16, 2009

Low supply boosts prices

Feedlots are in a favourable position with limited inventory so there isn’t pressure to sell unless prices are desirable, Canfax said.

Higher fed cattle prices last week probably pressured packer margins into the red.

Fed steer trade last week was $167-$170.85 per hundredweight flat rail and $99-$100.05 live, with an average of $99.55, up $2.49 from the week before.

Fed heifers were $165-$170.85 flat rail and $97.80-$100.05 live, averaging $98.61, up $2.72.

The volume sold totalled 15,784 head, down from 17,888 the previous week.

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The cash to cash basis strengthened to $6.91 under compared to $8.61 under the week before.

Alberta steer slaughter volume for the week ending April 4 was up 19 percent at 17,251 head and heifer slaughter was up 10 percent at 14,680 head.

Exports of Canadian fed cattle to the United States for the week ending March 28 totalled 13,987 head.

Canfax said that with grilling season just around the corner, demand should be strong.

Slaughter kills are moderate and will pick up in the weeks ahead. Show lists are expected to be smaller, which will help keep supplies tight.

There was great demand for D1, 2 slaughter cows, and prices rose $1.67 per cwt. to average $55.66. D3 cow prices climbed by $3.10 to average $47.53, Canfax said.

The average on butcher bulls was $66.77, up $1.51.

Hamburger demand is expected to improve and firm prices.

Steers, heifers dip

Steer average prices slipped by 31 cents per cwt. while heifers fell 97 cents, Canfax said.

Steers 300 pounds fell 33 cents and 400-500 lb. steers saw good demand with prices up 99 cents.

Steers 500-700 lb. fell $1.16-$1.38 while 700-900 lb. were mostly steady. Steers 900 lb. and heavier fell 62 cents. Heifers 300-400 lb. fell $2.97 and 400-500 lb. were steady.

Heifers 500-900 lb. were 77 cents-$1.01 lower and 900 lb. and heavier were 20 cents lower.

Feeder cattle volume was down 13 percent at 43,211 head.

U.S. bound exports two weeks ago totalled 11,894 head, up three percent from the previous week but 21 percent lower than last year.

Auction volumes should trend lower and prices for quality grass types should be steady. Feeder prices may have plateaued, Canfax said.

Bred cow prices at $700-$1,000 were down $62.50 compared to the week before but were still up $123 per head compared to last year.

Bred heifers were $1,000-$1,180. The average price was $165 higher than the previous week and $315 higher than last year.

Cow-calf pairs were $925-$1,300

Beef stronger

U.S. cutouts rose with Choice up $1.57 US to $137.37 and Select up $1.62 to $136.80.

Choice cutouts are $4.57 lower than last year and Select cuts are $4.36 lower.

Beef trim prices were firm with moderate demand and offerings.

Canadian AAA cutouts for the week ending March 27 were up 54 cents Cdn from the previous week and were $24.30 higher than last year.

AA cutouts were up $9.99 from the previous week and $22.86 higher than last year.

The Calgary wholesale market for delivery this week climbed $6 to $179. Montreal rose $3 to $181. Byproduct values were steady at $60-$95.

Hog prices steady

Pork demand is expected to rise seasonally, and market-ready supply will tighten.

Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs were $42 US April 9, steady with April 3.

The U.S. pork carcass cut-out value fell to $55.74 April 6 and then rose to $58.94 April 9, up from $56.94 April 3.

U.S. federal slaughter to April 11 was estimated at 2.13 million, down from 2.16 million the week before, and down five percent from the same week the year before.

So far this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says hog slaughter is down 5.2 percent.

Bison prices steady

The Canadian Bison Association said the market was steady.

Grade A carcasses from youthful bulls in the desirable weight range in Canada were $2.40-$2.75 Cdn hot hanging weight. Heifers were $2.30-$2.65 per lb.

Cull cow and bull average rose to $1.15 per lb., with sales to $1.45.

Weight, quality, age and delivery location affect final price.

New lambs stronger

Ontario Stockyards reported 2,342 sheep and lambs and 292 goats traded April 6. All classes of sheep, lambs and goats traded at stronger prices.

Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 938 sheep and lambs and 181 goats traded April 6. Prices were stronger with some new crop lambs selling as high as $209 per cwt. Good kid goats also sold well.

Lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $148-$209 per cwt. Lambs 75 to 85 lb. were $142-$185, 86 to 105 lb. were $143-$161, and those heavier than 105 lb. were $140-$158. Rams were $50-$70 per cwt. Ewe culls were $45-$62 and bred ewes were $72-$100.

Good kid goats were $150-$200. Nannies were $61-$95 per cwt. and mature billies were $102.50-$151.

Markets at a glance

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