Fed cattle price improves
The fed cattle market is continuing to improve with prices last week going over $88 for steers and heifers prompted by tighter supplies on fed cattle for this time of year. On the U.S. side, prices were just over $72 per hundredweight, the highest level since spring of 1995. Last week saw steers trade $84 to $88.50.
Cow prices are fairly steady at $37-$48 for D1, 2 and $33-$41 for D3s. Downward price pressure could occur in October as more cull cows hit the market.
Read Also
Phosphate prices to remain high
Phosphate prices are expected to remain elevated, according to Mosaic’s president.
Canadian kill figures show upward movement across all classes with total domestic meat production up 12 percent. Total beef kill for the week ending Sept. 7 was 1.425 billion pounds compared to 1.272 billion lb. last year. Carcass weights are also holding steady with steers dressing at 784 lb. and heifers at 706 lb., well within the acceptable packer range.
Feeder trade was steady on all classes and next week’s prices are expected to remain in the same area. Steers weighing around 600-700 lb. were trading at $72 to $92 to average $$83.63.
Hogs
The price dive suffered by the hog industry over the Labor Day holiday weekend has stopped and North American hog markets have recovered substantially, says SPI Marketing Group based in Saskatchewan. The average price for last week was $182.50 per hundred kilograms while the Alberta pooled prices finished at $185.
Sheep
Sheep markets are looking for fat lambs ranging from 90 to 120 lb. and feeders weighing 60-90 lbs. Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board reports lambs closed at $1.06 and slaughter sheep got 33 cents a lb.
