demand remains strong
Packers paid up this week and received fewer hogs at lower weights, market sources said. However, demand held strong at most locations amid slipping profit margins.
Packers had their reasons for continued buying in the face of lower profit margins: the extreme bear might take margins back to break even to compensate for fewer, smaller hogs, lower cut-out values and profit margins.
The average pork plant profit margin Jan. 27 was estimated at a negative $16.65 per head. Iowa-southern Minnesota live hogs traded at $66 US per hundredweight Jan. 26, up from $63 Jan. 20.
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The U.S. pork carcass cut-out value closed at $83.26 Jan. 26, down from $85.64 Jan. 20.
The U.S. federal weekly slaughter estimate was 2.167 million, down from 2.221 million the previous week.
Sheep, lambs
Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 871 sheep and 118 goats sold Jan. 23.
Wool lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $246-$275 per cwt., 70-85 lb. were $227-$258, 86-105 lb. were $195-$235 and 106 lb. and heavier were $184-$198.
Wool rams were $89-$110 per cwt. Cull ewes were $85-$100 and bred ewes were $240-$300 per head.
Hair lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $230-$258 per cwt., 70-85 lb. were $219-$250, 86-105 lb. were $180-$200 and 106 lb. and heavier were $170-$188.
Hair rams were $85-$95 per cwt. Cull ewes were $90-$110.
Good kid goats lighter than 50 lb. were $180-$245. Those heavier than 50 lb. were $200-$245 per cwt. Nannies were $91-$106 per cwt. Billies were $112.50-$140.
Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported 980 sheep and lambs and nine goats traded Jan. 23. Well-fed light lambs sold in premium ranges. Heavy lambs and goats sold steady. Sheep traded $5-$7 cwt. lower.
Bison
The Canadian Bison Association said grade A bulls in the desirable weight range were $3.80-$4 per pound hot hanging weight. Grade A heifers were $3.60-$4.
Animals older than 30 months and those outside the desirable weight range may be discounted. Slaughter cows and bulls averaged $2.40-$2.70.
