Manitoba Agriculture expects cattle production to continue rising in 1997, according to a department outlook.
Manitoba producers had seven percent more calves in 1996 and the department expected them to keep many over winter because of unprofitable fall calf prices.
In 1996, cow numbers increased by five percent by mid-year, while replacement heifers decreased by nine percent. The breeding herd of 650,000 head set a new record.
For most of the year, feeding cattle wasn’t as profitable as anticipated because of lower prices and higher feed costs.
The department forecasts higher prices for cattle in 1997, including increases of:
- Up to six percent for Grade A steers, averaging $80 to $85 per hundredweight.
- Up to 14 percent for feeder steers (800 to 900 pounds), averaging $82 to $87 per cwt.
- Up to 15 percent for calves, averaging $87 to $92 per cwt.
Feed costs will be a determining factor in the prices farmers receive. The department notes a good corn crop in the U.S. could lower feed prices by mid-year, improving demand for feeder cattle.
