Fall run starts with a bang
SASKATOON (Staff) – Canfax said the 1995 fall calf run has started in earnest, with about 30 percent of the 1995 crop sold. The run is about two weeks later than last year due to a late harvest, good fall weather and producers delaying sales because of low prices, Canfax speculated.
About 75,000 head moved in Alberta markets, 24,000 in Saskatchewan, 10,000 in Manitoba and 7,500 in B.C. during the last week of October.
Prices were mostly steady with last week on active demand, but the spread between top quality calves and off-types widened. Canfax said buyers were paying a premium of about $1-$1.50 per hundredweight for fancy calves.
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In southern Alberta, average prices for 600-700 pound steers averaged $88.97 per cwt; in central Alberta $90.56; northern Alberta $86.83; Saskatchewan $90.39; Manitoba $92 and B.C. $80.25.
On the slaughter side of the market, fed cattle opened the week at steady prices and maintained those prices even when the dollar fell apart midweek.
Canfax said heifers are still fetching a premium compared to steers. Prices on Oct. 26 had steers trading from $80.25-$83.25, while heifers were at $81-$83.50.
Prices were higher by $1 to $1.50 per cwt. compared to the previous week.
Hogs sharply lower
Hog prices took a big drop, below $160 per ckg last week, reflecting lower wholesale market and a large American kill.
But in its weekly market commentary the SPI marketing group in Saskatoon said better profit margins for Canadian packers might slow the price drop as they look to buy hogs.
