Demand key to 2009
There was no report from Canfax last week so our regular cattle information is not available.
Livestock markets in 2009 will be pushed and pulled by light supplies of animal protein but weak demand due to the global economic slowdown.
In December, the United States Department of Agriculture forecast that 2009 production of beef, pork and poultry would be down from 2008.
Overall, it sees meat and poultry production at 93.1 billion pounds, down from 94.1 billion in 2008.
That would normally cause meat prices to rise, but many U.S. consumers are worried about rising unemployment and the loss of equity in their homes and could scale back meat buying.
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Cash cattle in Nebraska Jan. 5 traded at $138 US per hundredweight, up $3 from the week before.
Beef demand normally picks up in January after turkey leftovers are eaten, but beef demand was weaker than expected in December. If that continues and packers respond by cutting back slaughter, it could hurt fed prices.
Livestock futures markets staggered during the holiday period when Mexico banned meat from 30 U.S. packing plants. Most of the affected plants processed pork but there were a few beef ones too. Since then, nearly all of the bans have been lifted.
When setting the bans, Mexico cited new tighter rules on sanitary controls, but some Americans believed the move was to protest new American country-of-origin labelling laws.
Hogs steady
U.S. cash hog prices were mostly steady in the holiday-shortened week.
The United States signed an agreement paving the way for increased pork exports to Russia. A large slaughter was expected the first week of the year.
Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs were $39 US per cwt. Jan. 2, up from $38 Dec. 26.
The U.S. pork carcass cut-out value was $54.82 Jan. 2, down from $56.29 Dec. 24. U.S. federal slaughter to Jan. 3 was estimated at 1.92 million, up from 1.75 million Dec. 27 but down 3.9 percent from last year.
Bison prices
There was no report from the Canadian Bison Association.
In mid-December, 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, 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.
Lamb prices steady
Ontario Stockyards reported 1,049 sheep and lambs and 15 goats traded Jan. 5. Lambs were steady with some heavy types fetching premiums. Sheep and goats were steady.
There was no Beaver Hill Auction sale report.
