Hogs fall
U.S. packers had most of their needs met going into the last two weeks of the year. Slaughter would be reduced because of holiday closures.
Trade was cautious ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s quarterly hog report Dec. 23.
Iowa-southern Minnesota hogs delivered were US$57.50-$58.50 per hundredweight Dec. 19, down from $63-$63.50 Dec. 12.
U.S. hogs averaged $76.35 on a carcass basis Dec. 19, down from $81.44 Dec. 12. The U.S. pork cutout dropped to $86.83 per cwt. Dec. 19, down from $92.55 Dec. 12.
Read Also
USDA’s August corn yield estimates are bearish
The yield estimates for wheat and soybeans were neutral to bullish, but these were largely a sideshow when compared with corn.
The estimated U.S. weekly slaughter for the week to Dec. 20 was 2,298 million, up from 2.254 million the previous week. Slaughter was 2.365 million last year at the same time.
Bison
There was no report from the Canadian Bison Association.
Sheep stronger
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 800 sheep and 78 goats sold Dec. 15.
Wool lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $200-$245 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $220-$250, 70-85 lb. were $210-$247, 86-105 lb. were $190-$230 and 106 lb. and heavier were $175-$200.
Wool rams were $61-$132 per cwt. Cull ewes were $48-$75 and bred ewes were $125-$160 per head.
Hair lambs lighter than 54 lb. were $185-$205 per cwt., 55-69 lb. were $190-$230, 70-85 lb. were $200-$236, 86-105 lb. were $176-$195 and 106 lb. and heavier were $160-$177.
Hair rams were $58-$91 per cwt. Cull ewes were $52-$70.
Feeder kids lighter than 60 lb. were $185-$210.
Good kid goats lighter than 70 lb. were $200-$225.
Those heavier than 70 lb. were $200-$230 per cwt. Nannies were $55-$117.50 per cwt. Billies were $100-$145.
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported 2,978 sheep and lambs and 398 goats traded Dec. 15. Well-finished new crop lambs sold steady with the well-finished heavies selling barely steady.
Sheep traded $5-$7 cwt. higher. Well-finished lightweight goats sold at a premium. All others were steady.
