About 2,000 Montana calves are set for delivery to Alberta in October and November.
This is the first time a large offering of American calves has been available since health regulations were streamlined to allow freer movement of feeders between Canada and the United States.
“This is long overdue,” said sale organizer Blair Vold of Vold, Jones and Vold Auction Co. of Ponoka, Alta.
“We’re the closest major feeding area for Montana.”
Sold in the Sept.11 Canadian Satellite Livestock Auction, most of the fancy calves went to eastern Canada buyers, said Vold.
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About 4,000 mostly black Montana steers were included in the sale offering of 14,000. Only half of the number offered actually sold because sellers have the right to refuse bids and will likely offer them in a future sale.
Another 4,000 Montana calves are booked for the Sept. 25 satellite sale.
When the calves are ready for delivery, they receive a visual veterinary inspection, two shots of tetracycline and brand inspection. They don’t have to stay in restricted feedlots because they have a clean bill of health.
No cattle went south in the sale.
About 6,000 Canadian calves were on offer and the balance were grass-fed yearlings. Bidders were willing to pay $1.18 a pound for 550-lb. calves.
Bob Dyck, of Highwood Auction at Fort Macleod, Alta., which also participated in the satellite auction, said this fall’s feeder prices are about $10 per cwt. lower than last year. Prolonged losses in the feeding sector limited the bids on calves.
Calves are in excellent condition and in the last week 800-lb. steers have sold for $100-$105 per cwt. while the heavier stock at 900 lb. fetch prices in the $95 to $100 range.
Canfax reported feeder prices regained some strength last week on better quality stock.
