Western Producer Livestock Report

Fed prices rise

Fed cattle prices advanced last week with steers averaging $90.25 per hundredweight, an increase of $1.75 while heifers averaged $89.81, up $2.50.

Canadian packers did most of the buying, Canfax said.

The Canada-U.S. cash to cash basis was $14.83 under, compared to $17.93 under the week before.

Producers sold aggressively with about 24,500 head trading.

Fed cattle exports two weeks ago totalled 17,913 head.

Canfax said placement data suggests tighter fed cattle supplies soon.

Given that feedlots are current in their inventory, prices should strengthen.

Read Also

Canola used in only quarter of Canadian biofuel

Less than one-quarter of the biodiesel and renewable diesel used in Canada in 2024 was made from canola oil feedstock

Beef stronger

U.S. cutouts rose on light demand and offerings. Some retailers were short and were forced to pay more.

Choice was $155.29 US, up $11.66, and Select was $147.21, up $9.90.

Calgary prices for delivery this week rose $2-$3 Cdn to a range of $148-$152 on handyweight steers.

Feeders climb

Feeder prices rose. Auction market volume at about 35,500 head rose 22 percent from the week before, said Canfax.

Feeder cattle exports for the week ending Feb. 10 were 7,391 head, down 41 percent from the week before.

Light steers 300-600 pounds rose $2.75-$4.50 per cwt. and heifers 300-600 lb. were steady to $4.50 higher.

Steers 600-800 lb. rose $2.75-$5 while heifers in the same weight class were $3-$4.25 higher.

Steers 800-900 lb. and heavier rose $1.50-$3.50. Heifers in the same weight range were $4-$4.50 higher.

Butcher cows gained $2-$3 and butcher bulls were up $1.75.

Canfax noted that a positive picture on the futures market indicates that prices may hold steady. Strong packer kills for butcher cows should help support the steady market.

In stock cow trade, bred cows were $750-$950 with tops to $1,100 and plain types $450-$700.

Bred heifers were $800-$1,050 with plain types $450-$750. Cow-calf pairs were $850-$1,100 with tops to $1,300 and plain types $600-$800.

Placements rise

The Alberta-Saskatchewan cattle-on-feed total on Feb. 1 was 1,032,565, down one percent from last year.

As anticipated, January placements were up, Canfax said. Following small fourth quarter placements, January saw a 31 percent increase over last year.

The number reflected both direct placements onto feed, as well as cattle movement from backgrounding to finishing programs.

January feeder exports were down from last year, leaving a larger number of feeders to be placed locally.

The big placements were offset by a larger January marketing figure, up seven percent over January 2006.

That included a seven percent increase in domestic slaughter and a three percent increase in fed exports.

The Canfax survey group marketings in January were 36 percent larger than the same month of 2006, which means a larger percentage of the total were made by feedlots that were over 1,000 head one-time capacity.

Stronger fed prices and increased slaughter helped clean up the show lists in January.

Snow plagues hog market

Another blizzard in the U.S. Midwest slowed hog marketings last week.

Expectations for increased hog marketings once the weather warms limited gains in lean hog futures.

However, strong technicals support the market, as well as the continued record pace of pork exports and expectations for hog numbers overall to be less than anticipated earlier, traders said.

Rising feed costs, a long string of poor weather and other production problems likely cut into the number of hogs that will go to market in the months ahead.

The Iowa-southern Minnesota live cash price for hogs delivered to plants was near $47 US per cwt. Feb. 16, down slightly from the week before.

The U.S. composite pork carcass cut-out value was $72.26 on Feb. 16, up from $70.53 per cwt. on Feb. 9.

Federal slaughter in the U.S. during the week was estimated at two million, up from 1.95 million the week before.

Bison steady

Top quality carcasses in Canada from bison bulls younger than 30 months in the desirable weight range were steady at $1.65 to $1.85 Cdn per lb. with a weighted average of $1.74 per lb., said the Saskatchewan Bison Association.

Rail prices for quality youthful bulls older than 30 months were $114-$145 per cwt. Cull cow prices were 10 to 15 cents per pound live weight.

Marketers report that remaining inventories of top quality bulls older than 30 months are being cleared, which should strengthen prices for animals under 30 months going into spring.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Feb. 14 that hot carcasses from bulls younger than 30 months were $160-$185 US, with an average of $180 during January. Heifers averaged $160.18.