Hogs steady
The U.S. cash market for hogs was mostly steady with supply and demand balanced in the week before American Thanksgiving.
Packers had most of their needs met, and pork values drifted lower, trimming packers’ operating margins, although profits were still attractive.
The average live slaughter weight of barrows and gilts in Iowa-Minnesota was 284.7 pounds two weeks ago, down one lb. from a week earlier but up 3.5 lb. from a year ago. Iowa-southern Minnesota hogs delivered were US$64.50-$65 per hundredweight Nov. 21, steady from $65 Nov. 14.
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U.S. hogs averaged $85.11 on a carcass basis Nov.21, down from $85.58 Nov. 14. The U.S. pork cutout dropped to $93.39 per cwt. Nov. 21, down from $95.93 Nov. 14.
The estimated U.S. weekly slaughter for the week to Nov. 21 was 2.232 million, up from 2.219 million the previous week.
Slaughter was 2.346 million last year at the same time.
Bison unchanged
The Canadian Bison Association said Grade A bulls in the desirable weight range were as high as C$4.55 per lb. hot hanging weight.
Grade A heifers sold up to $4.35.
Animals outside the desirable buyer specifications may be discounted.
Sheep steady
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported that 1,080 sheep and 106 goats sold Nov. 17.
Wool lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $210-$249 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $221-$252, 70-85 lb. were $205-$237, 86-105 lb. were $180-$204 and 106 lb. and heavier were $175-$200.
Wool rams were $55-$260 per cwt. Cull ewes were $47-$72.50 and bred ewes were $100-$225 per head.
Hair lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $150-$195 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $165-$190, 70-85 lb. were $180-$200, 86-105 lb. were $166-$180 and 106 lb. and heavier were $160-$177.
Hair rams were $52-$110 per cwt. Cull ewes were $49-$75.
Feeder kids lighter than 60 lb. were $170-$195. Good kid goats lighter than 70 lb. were $190-$225. Those heavier than 70 lb. were $190-$225 per cwt. Nannies were $45-$70 per cwt. Billies were $100-$130.
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported that 1,140 sheep and lambs and 85 goats traded Nov. 17. All classes of lambs, sheep and goats sold on a good demand at steady prices.
