WP LIVESTOCK REPORT
HEAT LOSSES LIFT HOGS
Slow weight gain and smaller carcasses because of the recent heat, along with strong pork exports to China, continued to press U.S. hog and pork prices to new record highs.
Iowa-Minnesota live weights for barrows and gilts two weeks ago averaged 260.9 pounds, down 2.8 lb. from the week before, down 6.1 lb. compared to the same week last year, and the lightest of any week since Sept. 6, 2008.
Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs delivered to plants were $78 US per cwt. Aug. 5, up from $76.50 July 29.
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The U.S. pork carcass cutout value set a new record high of $108.87 Aug. 5, up from $104.18 July 29.
The U.S. federal slaughter estimate was 1.96 million, down from 1.99 million the week before.
The closure of Cloverdale Foods in Minot, North Dakota, reduces the slaughter options for Prairie hog producers. The plant killed 600 head per day. It closed because of the flooding in Minot this year and because of the owner’s desire to focus on higher value processing at its Mandan, N.D., plant.
U.S. BISON PRICES DIP
The Canadian Bison Association reported that Canadian markets were steady but U.S. prices dipped because of export problems to Europe.
Grade A bulls in the desirable weight range were $3.90-$4.15 Cdn per pound hot hanging weight. Grade A heifers were $3.80-$4.15.
Animals older than 30 months and those outside the desirable weight range may be discounted.
Slaughter cows and bulls averaged $2.75.
SHEEP STEADY
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported 1,001 sheep and lambs, and 52 goats traded Aug. 2. Well-finished light and heavy lambs sold at a premium, with all others steady. Sheep and goats traded at steady prices.
