Fed cattle rates steady
Heavy cattle continue to be the main factor in the fed cattle market, but prices held fairly steady last week.
Canfax said exports to the United States have been high, helping to clear the bulge of fat cattle.
On Sept. 25 steer prices were $78.35-$82.50 and heifers were $81.35-$83.30 per hundredweight.
Canfax says October usually brings slower cattle marketing and improved prices, but it warns to watch U.S. prices and beef demand, which has been slow.
Feeder cattle prices slid $1-$2 per cwt. in most weight classes last week despite fewer cattle on offer. Canfax said the slower marketing was probably due to good weather for field work.
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Prairies have variable soil moisture conditions
The dry weather in the west was welcome for preserving grain quality and advancing harvest, but it has resulted in very dry soil moisture conditions.
As harvest becomes complete, cattle movement will increase and prices will slide lower.
Hog prices slide
Reduced demand for pork, lower wholesale pork prices and increased hog marketings in the U.S. resulted in declining hog prices in Canada last week. By Friday, the Omaha price was $48.50 (U.S.) per cwt. compared to $51 the previous week.
On Sept. 26, the USDA released its hog report, forecasting a production increase of four percent next year. This should lead to downward pressure on prices.
Lambs are up
Lamb prices are up, but goats are down this week. Canada West Foods at Innisfail, Alta. reports the base railgrade price for slaughter lambs is $2.10 per lb. Live weight lambs 90-110 lb. are 98 cents to $1.04 per lb. and 110 lb. and heavier are 92 to 98 cents.
Slaughter sheep are 35 to 40 cents a lb. Goat kids 50-60 lb. are 80 cents and the 60-90 lb. range are 65 to 80 cents. Billies and nannies are 20 cents.
