Cattle on feed increasing
The July 1 cattle on feed report from Canfax showed total numbers in Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlots totaled 879, 628, up nine percent from the same time last year.
The majority on feed were in the 800 pound range with 29,000 heifers and 52,000 steers being finished.
Numbers still lag behind pre-BSE placements for this time of year and sales of finished animals are also down from the 2001-02 periods.
Placements of new animals in June were up 21 percent at 23,000 head compared to 2003.
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This year’s placements continue to be lower than pre-BSE years. About 20 percent fewer cattle went on feed compared to June 2001.
Feeder prices steady
Markets are typically weaker in summer but prices for feeder animals are holding with heavyweight cattle more in demand over light steers, which lost 25 cents a pound from last week.
Part of this was quality related among the smaller sized offerings. Steers in the 800-900 pound range were steady to $1.75 higher over last week while heifers were up $2.25 to $2.50 per pound.
British Columbia steers in the 800 lb. range averaged $1.04 per lb. Alberta steers averaged $1.10 while Saskatchewan and Manitoba steers were around $1.05. Heifers were comparable.
With more favourable prices for heavyweights, producers may consider pre-pricing some for late summer grass programs.
Fed cattle down
Fed cattle sale prices dropped off last week with average steer and heifer prices $1.25 per lb. lower than the week previous.
Canfax anticipates prices dropping another dollar for the coming week.
Steers traded in Alberta to $87.25 per hundredweight and heifers were $86.50 per cwt.
Saskatchewan steers were comparable while Ontario averaged $94. Volumes offered for sale improved over last week with 23,440 head, up nearly 20 percent for this week. Feedlots are remaining current and are able to keep cattle moving at a steady pace.
Feeder exports to the United States are up 50 percent from the week before and beef sales are continuing strong. The U.S. buys most of the Canadian beef exports at 83 percent of the available offering while Mexico takes about 10 percent.
The Canadian beef kill was down slightly. About 58, 100 were slaughtered with 40 percent making AAA and nearly 55 percent grading AA.
To date Canada has killed 1.7 million head of all classes of cattle in 2006, down 88 percent from the 2005 figure.
However, cow kill is up 44 percent with 362,290 being slaughtered. Bull slaughter is up seven percent at nearly 20,000 for the year.
Hogs down slightly
Cash hog prices in the United States were mostly steady to slightly lower last week as packers had already secured enough hogs to meet their slaughter needs.
Supplies were plentiful and hot weather across the continent was expected to slow meat sales.
There was some price support for market hogs as slaughter margins were strong and packers attempted to ensure steady producer sales.
The Iowa-southern Minnesota live cash price for hogs delivered to plants dipped to $49-$50 US per cwt. on July 14, down from $52-$53 on July 7.
The composite pork carcass cut-out value fell to $76.21 July 14, down from $76.99 on July 7.
Federal slaughter in the U.S. for the week was estimated at 1.954 million last week, up from 1.638 million from the week before. Last week’s slaughter numbers were lower than usual due to the American July 4 national holiday.
U.S. market analysts said more hot weather could slow delivery of hogs to slaughter plants but a reduction in consumption should provide a balance between supplies and lower demand.
Sheep, goats steady
Ontario Stockyards reported 1,372 sheep and lambs and 92 goats traded. All classes of lambs and goats traded at steady prices. Good sheep sold $10 per cwt. higher.
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 360 head sold July 10.
New-crop lambs less than 70 lb. were $138-$154 per cwt., 70-85 lb. were $138-$143.50 and 86-105 lb. were $133-$140.
Old-crop lambs 86-105 lb. were $100-$124. Lambs heavier than 105 lb. were $135.
Replacement ewes were $55-$105 per cwt. Cull ewes were $35-$65. No ewes with lambs offered.
Rams were $45-$70 per cwt.
Good kid goats were $160-$201 per cwt. Nannies were $75-$132 and mature billies were $180-$200 per cwt.
Goat families were $130-$300 each.
Bison prices steady
Saskatchewan Bison Association reported Canadian rail carcass prices for top quality bison bulls younger than 30 months were steady at $1.70 to $1.90 per lb. last week.
The United States Department of Agriculture June 12 report said the weighted average price for hot carcass weight bison bulls younger than 30 months was $179.12 US per cwt.
The North American Bison Co-operative’s fall 2006 contract offer for bison bulls younger than 30 months is $1.90 US per lb.
