Slaughter prices pick up
SASKATOON (Staff) – Slaughter steer markets were boosted by 50 cents, while heifers were up by $1 per cwt. last week as packers bid for a smaller offering, said Canfax.
Heifers out-averaged steers because of quality. The total run was down by about 13 percent to 12,000 head, with bidding concentrated on handyweight (1,250-1,300 lb.) cattle.
U.S. feedlots also logged a very good week that saw the Southern Plains feeders sell out their showlists and actually refuse bids that were deemed too low late in the week. Prices are expected to break above $70 (U.S.) this week.
Feeder cattle prices were mixed this week, as a bigger offering over-weighted by plainer calves meant they were off by $2-$3 per cwt. Prices for good quality calves were steady.
Prairie hog prices turned around last week as packer demand pushed the market higher. Prices broke above $100 per ckg.
