Hogs steady
Cash hogs traded mostly steady in Midwest markets. However, plenty of hogs and lower cash pork prices falling to a six-year low prevented higher prices in early trading by Aug. 14. Hog futures traded slightly higher than last week and should cash settle at 49 cents per pound.
The Western Hog Exchange in Alberta reported its contract base price for Aug. 14 at $42 per hundredweight dressed. The contract base price was 45 cents per lb. dressed. The Manitoba hog price f.o.b. Iowa plant was $44.17 per cwt.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Aug. 13 the average wholesale pork was $52.31 per cwt., down $1.95 from Aug. 12 and the lowest since January 2003.
Sheep hold
The market was barely steady on all sheep and goats at the Beaver Hill Auction at Tofield, Alta.
The Aug. 10 sale sold 1,126 sheep and 113 goats. Lambs under 70 lb. traded between $130-$140 per cwt., lambs, 75-85 lb. were $125- $148, lambs 86 to 105 lb. were $120- $132 and lambs more than 105 lb. ranged from $115-$132. Cull ewes were $36-$55 per cwt. and rams came in at $54-$76.
Good kid goats were $150-$205 per cwt., nannies, $30-$96 and mature bucks, $100-$140. No results were reported from Ontario because the stockyards were closed Aug. 10-14, with regular sales resuming Aug. 17.
Bison report
The Canadian Bison Association reported steady prices with slight variations due to marketers rewarding producer loyalty and quality deliveries. The rising dollar continues to pressure margins.
Grade A youthful bison bulls in the desirable weight range sold from $2.35 to $2.75 per lb. hot hanging weight.
Grade A youthful bison heifers in the desirable weight range were $2.25 to $2.60 per lb.
Slaughter cows and bulls averaged $1.40.
