Hog prices firm
Holiday packer closures in the United States reduced the pork volume in the pipeline.
Market-ready hog supply is tightening after being high through most of the fall and packers will have to pay up to get supply needed for December. Packer operating margins were positive.
Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that October slaughter posted a record for any month as producers culled herds to avoid feeding high price corn. Pork production in October was a record, up nine percent over the same month last year.
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Iowa-southern Minnesota hogs delivered at packing plants were $57.50 US per hundredweight Nov. 23, about steady with $57 Nov. 16.
The U.S. composite pork carcass cut-out value was $81.92 Nov. 23, down from $82.23 on Nov. 16.
U.S. slaughter for the week, which was shortened by U.S. Thanksgiving, fell to 2.07 million from 2.37 million the week before. It was steady with 2.07 million a year ago.
Bison steady
The Canadian Bison Association said Grade A bulls in the desirable weight range sold up to $3.85 Cdn. per pound hot hanging weight.
Grade A heifers sold at prices up to $3.75.
Those outside the desirable weight range were discounted.
In the live market in light trade, yearlings were mostly $1.80-$2.10.
Heavy lamb prices fall
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 1,677 sheep and 236 goats sold Nov. 19.
Wool lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $122-$140 per cwt., 70 to 85 lb. were $115-$135, 86 to 105 lb. were $110-$125 and 106 lb. and heavier were $100-$114.
Wool rams were $50-$70 per cwt. Cull ewes were $43-$62 and bred ewes were $120-$170 per head.
Hair lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $110-$135 per cwt., 70 to 85 lb. were $110-$125, 86 to 105 lb. were $100-$115 and 106 lb. and heavier were $90-$100.
Hair rams were $45-$72 per cwt. Cull ewes were $45-$65.
Good kid goats lighter than 50 lb. were $145-$195. Those heavier than 50 lb. were $150-$200 per cwt. Nannies were $45-$70 per cwt. Billies were $120-$140.
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported 1,712 sheep and lambs and 107 goats traded Nov. 19. All well-fed lightweight lambs sold steady.
Heavy lambs opened barely steady to $5 cwt. lower and closed $15-$20 cwt. lower. Sheep traded $5-$7 cwt. down. Goats sold barely steady.
