This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca.
Fed market stable
The Canfax weighted average prices for fed steers and heifers were unchanged this week at $167.44 per hundredweight for steers and $166.59 per cwt. for heifers.
Canfax says the market remains strong and packers have been active on the cash market.
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Market-ready supplies are expected to remain manageable through January. Compared to the Nebraska market, this week’s Alberta fed price is estimated to be at a $14 per cwt. premium. Ontario fed prices have increased about $10 per cwt. since the last report at the end of December, but Ontario live prices remain at an $18 per cwt. discount to Alberta.
Export numbers mixed
For the week ending Dec. 23, live cattle exports to the United States from Western Canada totalled 3,792 head of fed cattle, 1,568 slaughter cows and bulls and 191 feeders. Fed numbers are up five percent year-to-date, while feeder numbers are down 34 percent.
No information was available this week on slaughter cows and bulls or on feeder and stocker cattle.
Cutouts strengthen
In U.S. markets, choice cut-out values strengthened last week with moderate demand on a light to moderate offering. Choice was listed at US$208.67, up from $202.28 the previous week. Select was $200.86, up almost $10 from the previous week’s $190.91. Canadian cut-out information was not available.
