Fed prices steady
Fed cattle average prices were little changed last week with steers steady and heifers down about 40 cents per hundredweight due to a plainer offering, said Canfax.
Volume was near 22,000 head, up 19 percent from the week before.
U.S. demand was fairly good at prices near the higher end of the range.
Alberta prices Sept. 28 were steers $83 per cwt., flat rail $138-$139.25 and heifers $83.85-$84.50, flat rail $140-$140.80.
The number of market-ready cattle beyond Thanksgiving does not appear burdensome, said Canfax.
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But some analysts are worried that a record number of U.S. cattle on feed and rising carcass weights indicate a backup in marketing there.
Beef edges higher
The Canadian AAA cutout was up slightly two weeks ago to $166 while the AA gained $3.30 to $161.60, narrowing the spread to $4.55 per cwt. compared to nearly $10 a year ago.
Calgary’s wholesale market for delivery this week was at $144-$145.
U.S. cutouts rose with the Choice ending the week $1 US higher and Select $1.15 higher., said Canfax.
Cowboy shortage
Labour shortages are affecting the feedlot sector as it tries to handle the fall run, said Canfax. This is putting downward pressure on calf prices.
Averages were lower with steers 400-600 pounds down $1-$1.50 Cdn, 600-800 lb. down $1.75-$2 and 800-900 lb. and heavier down $1.25.
Heifers 300-600 lb. fell $1.75-$3, 500-800 lb. dropped $1.75-$3 and 800-900 lb. and heavier were steady to $1 lower., said Canfax.
Higher feed costs and a weaker fed market aren’t helping feeder prices.
Auction market volume was strong with 45,391 head sold, up eight percent from the week before but 16 percent below last year.
Feeder cattle exports for the week ending Sept. 23 were 3,748 head, 42 percent lower than the week before.
D1, 2 cows were up $1.25 and butcher bulls up 75 cents.
Volumes should continue strong with yearlings tapering off in the coming weeks, said Canfax.
It expects prices will suffer from weaker U.S. interest, labour shortages and higher feed prices.
Butcher cows and bull prices may waver with volumes rising.
Bred cows in central and northern Alberta were mostly $700-$900, with plain types $400-$600.
Plain bred heifers in northern Alberta traded at $500-$700.
Cow-calf pairs in central and northern Alberta were mostly $800-$1,050, with plain types $500-$700.
Hog movement increases
Hog deliveries picked up as the cooler weather allowed animals to reach slaughter weight more quickly.
Slaughter plants maintained a record kill pace, increasing the pork supply and further depressing pork prices.
The Iowa-southern Minnesota live cash price for hogs delivered to plants was $47.50 US per cwt. Sept. 29, down from $48.50 Sept 22.
The U.S. composite pork carcass cut-out value fell last week, settling at $66.86 Sept. 29, down from $68.02 on Sept. 22.
Federal slaughter in the U.S. was estimated at 2.143 million, up from 2.13 million the week before.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture hogs and pigs report Sept. 29 showed a larger hog herd, up one percent to 62.704 million head.
The breeding herd climbed two percent to 6.079 million head.
The weight breakdown on market hogs showed the largest supply ready for market now and fewer hogs coming to market in the weeks ahead.
Bison steady
Canadian rail carcass prices for top quality bison bulls younger than 30 months fell to $1.58 to $1.80 Cdn per lb., said the Saskatchewan Bison Association.
Top quality youthful bulls older than 30 months sold as low as $1.25.
Canadian marketers and processors attribute the downturn to the annual oversupply of animals approaching the 30 month threshold and from culling in the U.S. due to drought. Some buyers are buying fewer live animals until inventories are cleared, the association said.
The USDA Sept. 12 report said the weighted average carcass price for hot hanging weight bulls younger than 30 months was $180.12 US per cwt.
Big sheep trade
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 1,195 sheep and 410 goats sold Sept. 25. Good lambs were steady to higher. Poor types were pressured lower. Cull ewes were down $3-$5 Cdn per cwt. Replacement ewes sold at cull prices. The large run of goats pressured prices down. Good meat types were off $10 per cwt.
Lambs less than 70 lb. were $136-$176 per cwt., 70-85 lb. were $135-$159.50, 86-105 lb. were $128.25-$149 and heavier than 105 lb. were $120-$130.50.
Rams fetched $54-$86 per cwt. and cull ewes were $54-$83.
Poor and light kid goats were $100-$150 per cwt. while good kids were $150-$178.
Nannies were $55-$88 and mature billies were $100-$147 per cwt.
Ontario Stockyards reported 1,439 sheep and lambs and 255 goats traded last week. All classes of lambs sold $8-$10 cwt. higher. Sheep were steady. Goats traded slightly higher.
