Demand for cattle slow
The fed cattle market saw slow trade and weaker prices last week.
Canfax said good fall weather has allowed feedlots to get animals to slaughter weight quickly. The larger supplies helped drop prices $1.50-$2 per hundredweight.
Steers on Nov. 7 traded at $82-$87.25 and heifers at $85.40-$87.35.
The Montreal wholesale beef price rose $1 per cwt. to $174.
Higher beef prices have slowed consumer demand and, with U.S. Thanksgiving coming, demand is expected to remain slow.
Canfax expects fed cattle prices to be steady in the short term.
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The feeder cattle market saw 15 percent lower volume last week. The price spread in each class is wide, based on quality. Canfax expects steady prices.
The stock cow trade is expected to rise through the month. The bulk of bred cows sold for $700-$1,000 a head, and bred heifers traded at $750-$950.
Pork prices down
U.S. cash hog prices were under pressure last week with Omaha closing Nov. 7 at $44.50 (U.S.) per cwt.
U.S. slaughter last week was estimated at 1.934 million head – up 5.1 percent from a year earlier.
Wholesale pork prices have dropped low enough to make attractive sale specials.
Sheep prices
Sheep prices at Canada West Foods in Innisfail, Alta. this week are: Slaughter lambs base railgrade price $2.15 per pound.; live weight lambs 90-110 lb. $1-$1.08; 100 lb. and heavier, 98 cents to $1.02.
Slaughter sheep live weight 25-35 cents a lb.; goats 50-60 lb. are 60-70 cents; 60-90 lb. 50-60 cents; billies and nannies 20-25 cents a lb.
