Fed cattle rise
Fed steers were up $2 and fed heifers were up $1 per hundredweight last week, said Canfax.
For the Labour Day-shortened week, a large volume of 24,500 head traded, up 31 percent from the week before as feedlots actively traded cattle at the higher prices.
Midweek, U.S. action was strong as lackluster Canadian bids meant producers looked south for trade. But by the next day, local packers dominated prices, bidding to meet the U.S. floor.
Alberta prices Sept. 7 were steers $86-$88.75 per cwt., flat rail $143.50-$147.30 and heifers $86.75-$88.30, flat rail $143.50-$147.
Read Also
One Beer Market Updates Day 3 – Lentils and beef
Day 3 of the One Beer Market Update at Ag in Motion 2025.
Feedlots are current in their marketing and will use their bargaining position to seek higher prices. Packers on the other hand will watch to see how the U.S. trades and will bid only enough to get the supply they need.
Beef prices rise
The large jump in U.S. cash cattle prices two weeks ago was followed by a healthy increase in the cut-out value last week, said Canfax. The Choice cutout gained $3 US while Select gained $2.75, putting prices 10-12 percent higher than last year. The Choice-Select spread is now $10.
Canadian cutouts followed suit, rising $2 Cdn on AAA and $1 on AA.
Calgary wholesale levels for delivery this week were $1-$2 higher in a range of $147-$149 per cwt.
Fall feeder run begins
There was good feeder cattle movement and solid prices last week, with most trade steady to $3 per cwt. higher.
The Labour Day holiday most likely contributed to the lower auction trade, with volumes down nine percent from the week before but steady with last year at 36,600 head.
Light steers 300-600 lb. rose 75 cents-$3 and light heifers 300-600 lb. rose $1.25-$3, Canfax said.
Steers 600-800 lb. were steady while heifers were steady to $1 higher.
Heavy feeders stayed strong with 800-900 lb. and heavier steers up 75 cents-$1.25 and heifers 800-900 lb. $1 higher while 900 lb. and heavier heifers were $1 lower, said Canfax.
With dry pastures, more cows heading to market and reduced kills at packing plants, butcher cows again felt pressure last week, falling $2. Butcher bulls held steady.
Canfax said September kicks off the start of the fall run and volumes should increase but prices should hold steady, given good demand for early calves.
Butcher cow and bull prices will continue under pressure.
In stock cow trade, cow-calf pairs traded lower with most at $975-$1,125 and plain types $600-$950. Light trade on bred cows saw prices of $500-$840 and bred heifers at $550-$800.
Hogs prices dip
Packers’ profit margins improved and slaughter pace picked up as the week progressed to make up for the Labour Day closure.
Analysts expected the strong slaughter would increase pork supply weighing on prices this week. Also, market-ready hog supplies traditionally increase in the fall.
The Iowa-southern Minnesota live cash price for hogs delivered to plants was $50.50 US per cwt. Sept. 8, slightly down from $51.50 Sept 1.
After rising to $77.04 on Sept. 5, the U.S. composite pork carcass cut-out value fell to $73.85 on Sept. 8, down from $76.59 Sept. 1.
Federal slaughter in the U.S. was estimated at 1.88 million during the holiday-shortened week, down from 2.05 million the week before, but 2.4 percent more than the same week last year.
Bison await EU decision
Bison marketers selling meat into Europe remain disappointed that promised changes to Canadian meat grading criteria for bison heifers have not yet been implemented, said the Saskatchewan Bison Association.
Many bison heifers now fall into the C grade due to existing ossification measures. There are strong indications that once the new standards are in place, prices paid to producers for heifers older than 30 months will increase as more heifers fall into the A grade.
The situation is particularly frustrating in the fall because more slaughter bison fail to meet dentition criteria for younger than 30 months status and become ineligible for the U.S. market. (Canadian animals older than 30 months are eligible for entry into the European Union.)
Canadian rail carcass prices for top quality bison bulls younger than 30 months were steady at $1.70-$1.90 per lb.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Aug. 16 report said the weighted average carcass price for hot hanging weight bison bulls younger than 30 months was $180.19 US per cwt.
Sheep, lambs stronger
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported 1,013 sheep and lambs and 83 goats traded. A light run of sheep and lambs sold actively at prices $5-$7 cwt. higher. Goats held firm.
