Feeder exports up
CALGARY – Export cattle numbers show there’s still strength in the industry.
Canfax reports the latest figures from June show 515,984 slaughter cattle were shipped to the U.S. compared to 392,218 last year. Feeder exports have also shown a marked increase, where 556 head sold to the U.S. as of June 1995, compared to 123,564 during the first six months of 1996.
A short week due to the Canada Day holiday was good news for the fed cattle market with packers short on inventory and forced to ask more for cattle to fill out demand for beef.
Steer and heifer prices on grade A quality animals were up slightly with Alberta steers trading at $76.76, up $3.81 from the week previous. Ontario steers averaged $81.90, up $2 over last week.
The demand for hamburger is also good and although trade activity was light on the western cow trade, D1 and 2 cows were worth $40 to $50 during a short week.
Feeder trade was steady and slightly better prices are expected to hold.
