Slaughter cattle highlight of week
SASKATOON (Staff) – Slaughter cows were the only bright spot in beef trade during the past week, Canfax said.
After losing $10 per hundredweight in the past month, average slaughter cow prices were up by $2 per cwt., and sales by May 25 were up by $4 in some cases. Canfax said tighter supplies and better demand for boneless beef helped to boost prices.
D1 and D2 cows traded from $46-$57 per cwt. liveweight, with top prices paid to $59, while railgrade bids were $95-$100 per cwt.
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The fed cattle started the week out with steady prices, but was pressured by reluctant buying. Both Eastern Canadian and U.S. buyers were present, but not aggressive in the market, leaving the majority of the Western Canadian cattle offered to local packers.
Beef wholesale movement, however, was steady in both Calgary and Montreal. That may mean warm weather will boost demand.
Prices for slaughter steers ranged from $77-$79.75 per cwt. on May. 25, with top prices paid from $79.85-$80.60. Heifers were bid from $76.50-$78.50.
Hog volumes heavy
Large supplies of market-ready hogs hit Western Canadian markets during a holiday-shortened week, but prices behaved abnormally by advancing sharply, Saskatchewan Pork International reported.
Saskatchewan sales were heavy at 19,837 head, while the Index 100 pool price was up by $5.10 per hundred kilograms at $132.10. Alberta’s price was higher by $7.10 per ckg at $134.60, while Manitoba’s prices was up by $6.10 at $134.04.
