Demand for beef slow
Fed cattle prices were $2 lower than last week on average, weakening as the week progressed. Some sellers were passing cattle at lower bids, Canfax reported. More than 14,000 cattle were sold last week, down one percent from the week previous. U.S. buying interest was active early in the week but many orders were filled by Friday. Steers brought $80-$81.50, and heifers were earning $81.10-$82.
Demand was slow in the beef trade and the recall in the U.S. due to E. coli has not helped ground beef sales, said Canfax.
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Packers now have ample supplies so they have the upper hand in marketing now. Heavy cattle will be a problem in both Canada and the U.S.
Slaughter cow prices slipped last week with most trade between $45-$52. D1 and D2 cows sold for $41-$62, and D3s were $36-$52. Rail grade bids were $95-$98.
In feeder trade, prices were $2-$3 lower for the week but most markets attribute it to quality rather than a downward trend, said Canfax. Some sales saw heifers topping steer prices, pushed by replacement demand. Prices are expected to remain steady.
Lamb prices near $1
Slaughter lamb prices from Canada West at Innisfail, Alta. show liveweight prices for lambs 90-110 pounds at 95 cents to $1. Lambs 100 lb. and more were bringing 90 to 95 cents. Feeder lambs 50-60 lb. were at $1.18; 60-70 lb. brought $1.12; 70-80 lb. sold for $1.08 and 80 lb. and up were at $1.
Slaughter sheep were going for 35-38 cents. Goats 50-60 lb. were 90 cents, 60-90 lb. were 75-85 cents. Billies and nannies were selling for 25 cents liveweight.
