FED CATTLE LOWER
The Canfax weighted average steer price last week was $94.45 per hundredweight, down $2.13 and heifers were $94.30, down $1.78.
Most of the week’s trade was dressed and the majority sold at the top of the range.
The prices reflect a larger percentage of cattle not fully finished.
Sale volume of 13,817 head was down 15 percent and 21 percent smaller than last year.
Improved U.S. buyer interest encouraged a small volume of cattle to head south.
The cash to futures basis widened to -$7.51 from -$6.33 the previous week.
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Weekly fed exports to Dec. 4 at 7,108 head were 21 percent lower. That was 44 percent lower than last year.
COWS RISE
D1, D2 cows averaged $57.39 per cwt. up 24 cents and D3 cows were $51.14, up 11 cents.
Rail cows rose to $109-$114 per cwt.
Butcher bulls averaged $62.63, up 49 cents. Weekly non-fed slaughter exports to Dec. 4 were up 11 percent.
FEEDERS MOSTLY LOWER
Middle weight steers saw good buyer interest but feeder steers generally averaged $1.21 per cwt. lower and heifers were 66 cents lower.
Selective buyers maintained wide quality based price spreads.
Stocker steers less than 500 pounds fell $2.50, 500 to 800 lb. were 25-50 cents lower. Steers 800 to 900 lb. fell $2.45 and those heavier than 900 lb. traded slightly higher.
Stocker heifers rose $1.51 while 400 to 600 lb. heifers fell 68-86 cents.
Those heavier than 600 lb. dropped by more than $1.
Auction volume of 49,471 head was 27 percent below the previous week.
Weekly feeder exports to Dec. 4 totalled 1,072 head, 307 percent higher than the previous week .
Light auction volumes are expected and prices are expected to hold steady.
A good volume of bred females was offered, fetching $750-$1,400. Bred females were $250-$300 higher than last year. Pairs were $950-$1,400, $475 higher than last year.
BEEF STARTS TO WEAKEN
U.S. Choice cutouts closed at $161.15 US per cwt., down $2.38 and Select closed at $152.31, down $1.31.
Weekly Canadian slaughter to Dec. 11 was 55,554 head, down 11 percent from the previous week and 17 percent below last year.
Canadian AAA cutouts were $157.08, up 36 cents, and AA cutouts were $154.74, up 91 cents.
Cutouts are $11-14 per cwt. above 2009 levels. The Montreal wholesale price for delivery this week was steady at $187-$189.
This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca.
