Hog prices soar
Surging wholesale pork prices and tight market-ready hog supplies drove hog prices higher in the United States.
The warm winter allowed hogs to gain weight quickly. They were sent to slaughter ahead of schedule and now supply is tight.
Retailers were buying for the grilling season, and pork values were the highest since November. Traders wonder how long consumers will accept higher meat prices.
Packer margins were negative and some plants cut hours of operation.
Iowa-southern Minnesota live hogs jumped to $75.50 US per cwt. June 15, up from $69 June 8.
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U.S. pork carcass cut-out values rose to $94.12, up from $84.80 June 8.
The U.S. federal weekly slaughter was estimated at 1.957 million, down from two million the previous week.
Bison Steady
The Canadian Bison Association said grade A bulls in the desirable weight range were $3.65-$3.90 Cdn per pound hot hanging weight. Grade A heifers were $3.60-$3.90.
Animals outside the desirable weight range and parameters may be discounted.
Slaughter cows and bulls averaged $2.40-$2.60.
In the live market, heifers born in 2011 were $2-$2.40 and bulls were $2.25-$2.65.
Lambs weak
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 615 sheep and 197 goats sold June 11.
Wool lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $200-$250 per cwt., 70 to 85 lb. were $180-$216, 86 to 105 lb. were $168-$185 and 106 lb. and heavier were $155-$168.
Wool rams were $48-$68 per cwt. Cull ewes were $48-$64 and bred ewes were $250-$320 per head.
Hair lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $210-$240 per cwt., 70-85 lb. were $170-$205, 86-105 lb. were $160-$185 and 106 lb. and heavier were $140-$168.
Hair rams were $72-$84 per cwt. Cull ewes were $64-$79.
Good kid goats lighter than 50 lb. were $235-$275. Those heavier than 50 lb. were $225-$277.50 per cwt. Nannies were $70-$95 per cwt. Billies were $117.50-$147.50.
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported 1,349 sheep and lambs and 76 goats traded June 11.
All classes of lambs sold on a spotty demand at barely steady to lower prices. Sheep and goats sold steady.
