Demand dips for fed cattle
SASKATOON (Staff) – Fed cattle opened the week at steady money but declining demand. The Canada Day holiday on July 1 and the American Independence Day on July 4 meant a large continental offering on July 5 had lower prices. Money remained steady on Thursday, even though the pace of sales was up. Trade on July 6 saw steers bring $78.45-$81.25 per hundredweight, while heifers were at $79.25-$80.75 cwt.
Volumes were off by just 10 percent, Canfax said, despite the short week.
An appreciating Canadian dollar also dampened American buying interest, although some cattle did go to Washington state, Canfax said.
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Trade in slaughter cows was steady over the holiday week. Grain-fed cows are still fetching a premium but average quality cows sold on the hoof are priced in the mid-$50s per cwt.
Canfax said volumes aren’t tightening up as much as normal in July, likely due to early movement off dry pastures. D1 and D2 cows were priced from $45-$58, with the top range traded from $59.59-$62.50. Cows on the rail were bid from $98-$104.75, with top prices paid to $107.
Hog prices mixed
The holiday-shortened week also disrupted hog kills in both Canada and the United States, which was reflected in prices with no strong trend.
In Saskatchewan, the Index 100 pooled price was $160 per hundred kilograms, up 20 cents on the week. Alberta’s pooled price down by 10 cents, at $158.70 per ckg, while Manitoba’s price was up by $1.58 to $164.10 per ckg.
