Fed cattle fall
Fed cattle price averages in the week ending Dec. 19 were $2.50-$3.50 per hundredweight lower than the previous week and have fallen $10 over the past five weeks, Canfax said.
The average Canfax price on steers was $86.26 per cwt., down $2.68, and heifers averaged $85.37, down $3.59.
A handful of steers traded at $144 Dec. 17.
Volume rose 31 percent from the previous week to about 15,000 head.
The cash to futures basis was steady at $15.36 under compared to $15.34 under last week.
Fed exports totalled 10,412, down 16 percent from the week before. That was 39 percent lower than last year.
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In the year to date, exports are down 23 percent to 626,161 head.
Canfax said with slaughter curtailed and packer margins low during the holiday season, buyer interest was low.
As 2008 closes, demand and prices will be pressured lower.
D1, 2 cow prices in Alberta were stronger at $30.20-$47.25 per cwt. with an average of $38.05, up 84 cents.
Butcher bulls fell to $37-$58, with an average of $48.33, down from $49.49 the week before.
Slaughter cow and bull exports totalled 5,463 head.
Canfax said slaughter cow trade ended the week strong and will likely hold steady throughout the holiday season. Butcher bulls should continue to trade softer.
Meat price drops
The Calgary wholesale market for delivery this week dropped by $2-$3 to $155.
The Montreal wholesale was steady at $167.
The recession hammered byproduct values down to $65-$99 from $75-$108 the week before.
U.S. Choice cutouts were mostly steady to close at $141.55 US while Select rose $2.34 to $135.07.
Beef trim prices softened by week’s end but generally saw moderate demand.
Feeders drop
Alberta auction volume was 25 percent smaller at 39,151 head, which was 36 percent down from last year.
It was a tough week, with lighter offerings and limited buyers, Canfax said.
Cold weather affected interest. Quality cattle topped the market.
Yearling steers traded lower with 800-900 lb. and heavier steers falling $2.70-$3 Cdn per cwt.
Heifers in the same weight range were $1.45-$3.60 lower.
In the 300-500 lb. range, steers fell $2.75-$3.45 and heifers fell $1.20-$2.65.
Overall, steers averaged $2.74 lower and heifers were $2.13 lower.
Canadian feeder exports totalled 5,898 head, down from 9,130 head the previous week and down from 22,109 head last year.
Canfax said auction markets will be closed for the holidays. Trade in the new year will likely be similar to December.
Hog prices weaker
U.S. cash hog prices fell last week because packers were well supplied going into the holiday-shortened week.
Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs fell to $38.50 US per cwt. Dec. 19 from $40-$40.50 Dec.12.
The U.S. pork carcass cut-out value was $57.92 Dec. 19, down from $60.04 Dec. 12.
U.S. federal slaughter to Dec. 20 was estimated at 2.38 million, up from 2.34 million Dec. 13 but down 3.7 percent from last year.
To date, U.S. slaughter is up 6.1 percent over 2007.
Bison prices weaken
The Canadian Bison Association said price averages were steady.
Grade A carcasses from youthful bulls in the desirable weight range in Canada rose at the top end of the price range to $2.30-$2.80 Cdn, with an estimated average of $2.45 per lb. hot hanging weight.
Heifers were $2.20-$2.60 per lb. with an average of $2.25.
Cull cow and bull average rose to $1.05 per lb., with sales to $1.30.
Weight, quality and delivery location affect final price.
In November federally inspected slaughter in Canada totalled 2,068, up from 1,938 in October.
To date, 18,789 head were federally slaughtered, up eight percent over 2007 at the same point.
To the end of November, slaughter male exports to the United States totalled 7,626 head, down two percent from last year.
Female slaughter exports totalled 7,882, up 50 percent.
Feeder male exports were 4,814, up 147 percent, and feeder female exports were 3,614, up 199 percent.
Lamb prices mixed
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 386 sheep and lambs and 64 goats traded Dec. 15.
Extreme cold reduced the number for sale.
All classes were $5 to $25 per cwt. higher.
Lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $115-$145 per cwt.
Lambs 75 to 85 lb. were $118-$147, 86 to 105 lb. were $120-$134, and those heavier than 105 lb. were $115-$122.50.
Rams were $39-$79 per cwt. Ewes were $36-$84.
Good kid goats were $135-$150. Poor and light goats were $70-$110.
Nannies were $40-$60 per cwt. and mature billies were $114-$120.
Ontario Stockyards reported 4,019 sheep and lambs and 727 goats traded Dec. 15.
There was good trade in lambs at stronger prices. Sheep were steady to stronger. Goats were barely steady.
