Fed cattle prices tail off
SASKATOON (Staff) – Fed cattle in Western Canada opened strong, but trailed off as the week went on, according to Canfax.
The lack of longer fed cattle was a factor in the lower price ranges, but high yielding cattle still fetched a good premium. Weights dropped, with steer weights 22 pounds lower than the peak in October.
Canfax reported a 10 percent drop in cattle volume, as the lower prices stalled owners from selling aggressively. Steers traded $81.75-$83.65, while heifers sold from $82-$83.35.
Read Also
Canada-U.S. trade relationship called complex
Trade issues existed long before U.S. president Donald Trump and his on-again, off-again tariffs came along, said panelists at a policy summit last month.
Calves averaged $3 to $4 lower overall with some noticeable regional differences. Yearlings were mostly steady to $1 lower on the week. Volumes offered were down 24 percent from last week.
Beef movement was slower, with Calgary wholesales in a range of $135 to $144.
Cows traded $1 higher this week. The number of cows offered was not as large and packers seemed a little more aggressive.
Stock cows remained steady, with bred cows ranging from $400-$1,100, and bred heifers from $500-$1,050, depending on quality and calving dates.
The range for steers was $81.50-$85 liveweight in Alberta, $80 to $83.75 in Saskatchewan, and $76-$86 in Manitoba.
Canfax said it expected cattle prices to remain steady for December.
D1 and D2 cattle priced $30-$44, with top sales to $47. Railgrade bids were between $74 and $78.
U.S. fed cattle traded steady to 50 cents lower, while yearlings were 50 cents to $1 higher with calves steady last week, Canfax said.
