Hogs slip lower
After setting a seven-year low two weeks ago, Chicago hog futures rose last week on rumours that American packers had exported large quantities of pork possibly to Mexico and Russia.
Slaughter data showed American producers might be starting to cull their breeding herds. The U. S. Department of Agriculture said sow slaughter rose 3.2 percent from a year ago to 69,094 head in the week ending Aug. 15, compared with a fall of 9.6 percent the previous week.
Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs fell Aug. 31to $34 US per hundredweight from $35 Aug. 21.
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The U.S. pork carcass cut-out value rose to $57.90 Aug. 28, up from $53.79 Aug. 21.
U.S. federal slaughter to Aug. 29 was estimated at 2.2 million, down from 2.23 million the previous week. Compared to the same week last year, slaughter was down 1.4 percent.
Bison prices steady
The Canadian Bison Association said prices were mostly steady. The range on cull animals widened.
Grade A youthful bulls in the desirable weight range in Canada were $2.50-$2.70 per lb. hot hanging weight. Grade A youthful heifers were $2.35-$2.55 per lb.
Cull cows and bulls sold from $1.30 to $1.42 per lb.
Weight, quality, age and delivery location affect final price.
Sheep down
Ontario stockyards reported 2,148 sheep and lambs and 272 goats traded Aug. 24. All well-fed lambs were steady. Unfinished lambs were barely steady. Good sheep were $5 per cwt. lower while plain and thin types were $5 to $10 lower. Goats were steady.
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 724 sheep and lambs and 150 goats traded Aug. 24. The market was down by $10 per cwt. on sheep and goats.
Lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $128-$150 per cwt. Lambs 75 to 85 lb. were $127-$138.50, 86 to 105 lb. were $119-$130 and those heavier than 105 lb. were $115-$128. Rams were $55-$74 per cwt. Ewe culls were $46-$56.
Good kid goats were $150-$220. Nannies were $53-$154 per cwt. and billies were $82.50-$150.
