The U.S. Department of Agriculture said 10.5 million cattle were in feedlots June 1, up 0.8 percent from last year and close to the trade estimate average.Profitable prices caused placements during May to rise 23.4 percent to 2.02 million head. Last year’s number was unusually low.May marketings totalled about 1.87 million, down 4.3 percent, marking the lowest May number since the report series began in 1996. Fewer cattle were ready for market after months of reduced placements.Retailers bought for the July holidays in the United States and Canada, which led to improved margins for packers and higher hog bids.Hog producers are believed to be current in their marketing.Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs delivered to plants were $60 US per hundredweight June 18, up from $56 on June 11.The U.S. pork carcass cut-out value was $83.74 June 18, down slightly from $83.99 June 11.U.S. federal slaughter to June 19 was estimated at 2.01 million, down from 2.3 million the previous week.The Canadian Bison Association’s monthly report said prices are strong and there is a tight supply of finished animals and cows and bulls. Demand is strong for ground products with middle cuts now leaving inventory.U.S. market demand is strong, but some retailers are showing resistance to the cost of ground bison.Most producers are holding animals back to build herds in response to the strong demand.Nationally, federal slaughter is down 12.4 percent to 8,306 for the first 23 weeks of this year.Exports of live animals to March 31 jumped by 25.6 percent to 8,098 head. The average price per animal exported fell 9.2 percent to $1,060 Cdn from $1,168 in 2009.Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 886 sheep and 318 goats traded June 14. Top quality fetched steady prices, but off types were discounted as much as $30 per cwt.Thee auction recommends producers ensure lambs are at least 80 pounds. Good kid goats should be a minimum of 50 lb.Lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $140-$215 per cwt. Lambs 70 to 85 lb. were $135-$181, 86 to 105 lb. were $138-$162, and those heavier than 105 lb. were $143-$166.Rams were $30-$80 per cwt. Cull ewes were $30-$68.Good kid goats heavier than 50 lb. were $100-$212.50 per cwt. Nannies were $30-$90 per cwt. Mature billies were $100-$172.50 per cwt. Goat families were $150-$225 per unit.Olds Auction in Olds, Alta., saw feeder lambs fetch $85-$140 per head June 15. Ewes were steady at $70-$110, rams were slightly higher at $110-$180, nanny goats $80-$130 and billy goats $100-$175.Ontario Stockyards reported 1,417 sheep and lambs and 97 goats traded June 14. Good light lambs were barely steady and all others fell $5-$7 per cwt. Sheep and goats were steady.
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