Fed steer prices stronger
The fed steer average rose 11 cents last week to $96.87 per hundredweight while heifers fell 18 cents to $96.25, Canfax said.
Volume rose 18 percent to about 20,000 head.
The cash to futures basis weakened slightly to $16.63 under compared to $16.10 under the week before.
Fed exports rose to 14,300 head, up 34 percent from the week before. That was 40 percent more than last year.
Fed supply normally tightens in November, supporting prices.
If the loonie stays in the low- to mid-80 cents US range, Canadian fed prices should rise, Canfax said.
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D1, 2 cows in Alberta were $33-$48.50 per cwt. with an average of $41.48, down seven cents from the week before.
Butcher bulls were $45-$67.50 with an average of $56.34, up $1.33 from the week before.
Exports of cows and bulls totalled 4,361 head.
Butcher cows will likely trade softer this week and butcher bulls should be steady to slightly higher, Canfax said.
Feeders mostly higher
Alberta auction volume rose 25 percent to 94,144 head, which was six percent more than last year.
Light steer calves traded $1.88-$3.65 per cwt. higher, while heavier steers were $1.45-$2.32 higher, Canfax said.
Light heifers were 56 cents-$1.12 higher, heavy heifers 700-900 pounds were $1.22-$1.99 higher and 900 lb. and heavier were 10 cents lower.
Overall, steers averaged $2.21 higher and heifers $1.17 higher.
Feeder exports totalled 11,712 head two weeks ago, up from 4,436 the week before but down from 15,211 for the same period a year ago.
Large volumes are expected again this week. American and eastern Canadian buyers are active and prices on quality animals should be steady, Canfax said.
American feeders are still buying Canadian cattle, despite concerns about U.S. country-of-origin labelling.
Bred cows were $600-$840 and bred heifers were $825-$1,000.
Beef stronger
AAA cutouts were $172.20, up $1.03 from the week before. AA cutouts rose 50 cents to $167.79.
The AAA cutout is $26.26 higher than a year ago and AA is $28.23 higher.
Calgary wholesale price for delivery this week was $163-$164. Montreal was $164.
U.S. Choice fell $1.49 to $141.81 US and Select dropped 40 cents to $135.42.
Exports cool
U.S. pork exports are slowing, creating talk that packers will slow their slaughter pace. Pork prices dropped.
Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs Oct. 31 were $42 to $42.50 US per cwt., down from $45-$45.50 Oct. 24.
The U.S. pork carcass cut-out value fell to $62.17 Oct. 31, down from $65.97 Oct. 24.
U.S. federal slaughter to Nov. 1 was estimated at 2.386 million, compared to 2.296 million the week before and 2.316 million the year before.
Bison prices higher
The Canadian Bison Association said the top end of the A1 bull price range rose five cents per lb.
Grade A carcasses from youthful bulls in the desirable weight range in Canada were mostly $2.30-$2.80 Cdn, with an estimated average of $2.50 per lb. hot hanging weight. Heifers were $2.25-$2.60 per lb. with an average of $2.40.
Cull cow and bull averages rose to $1.05 per lb., with sales to $1.40.
Weight, quality and delivery location affect final price.
Lamb feeders full
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 1,050 sheep and lambs and 186 goats traded Oct. 27.
Lambs and sheep fell $10 per cwt., and goats were down $50 per cwt. Feedlot operators says they are full and a surplus of lighter than 50 lb. goats is dragging down goat prices.
Lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $75-$120 per cwt. Lambs 70 to 85 lb. were $100-$121, 86 to 105 lb. were $80-$117.50 and those heavier than 105 lb. were $100-$108.
Rams were $25-$43 per cwt. Ewes were $15-$39 per cwt.
Good kid goats were $120-$147. Nannies were $55-$72 per cwt. and mature billies were $90-$130.
Ontario Stockyards reported 1,907 sheep and lambs and 189 goats traded Oct. 27. Lighter, well finished lambs were stronger. Heavy lambs were under pressure. Goats were barely steady. Good sheep were steady, and thinner types were barely steady.
