Pork cutout sets record
Cash U.S. hog prices were mostly steady, but packer processing margins turned negative.
Traders believe packers will trim slaughter this week to pressure pork higher and hogs lower.
Iowa-southern Minnesota hogs delivered to the plant were $97.50-$98 US per hundredweight July 18, mostly steady with $97-$98 the previous week.
On a carcass basis, U.S. hogs averaged $127.36 per cwt. July 18, down from $129.88 July 11.
The U.S. pork cutout rose to a record $137.56 July 18, up from $135.33 July 11. U.S. estimated weekly slaughter for the week to July 19 was 1.833 million, down from 1.859 million the previous week.
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Slaughter was 2.012 million last year at the same time.
Bison price up
The Canadian Bison Association said strong demand for finished bison increased prices over the past week.
Grade A bulls in the desirable weight range reached $4.10 Cdn per pound, hot hanging weight.
Grade A heifers sold at prices up to $3.95.
Animals outside the desirable buyer specifications may be discounted.
Sheep mostly steady
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 1,013 sheep and 133 goats sold July 14.
Wool lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $180-$205 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $182-$210, 70-85 lb. were $170-$197, 86-105 lb. were $159-$183 and 106 lb. and heavier were $168-$176.
Wool rams were $55-$98 per cwt. Cull ewes were $50-$87.50.
Hair lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $150-$200 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $175-$196, 70-85 lb. were $156-$182, 86-105 lb. were $150-$174 and 106 lb. and heavier were $150-$169.
Hair rams were $55-$78 per cwt. Cull ewes were $56-$89 and ewe-lamb families were $150-$250 per unit.
Feeder kids lighter than 60 lb. were $165-$225. Good kid goats lighter than 70 lb. were $225-$265. Those heavier than 70 lb. were $225-$265 per cwt. Nannies were $85-$110 per cwt. Billies were $110-$150.
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported 1,643 sheep and lambs and 52 goats traded July 14. Light lambs, well fed good sheep and goats sold at steady prices. Heavy lambs traded under pressure at barely steady money.
