For the week ending December 20, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were steady to $10 weaker compared to seven days earlier. For the second week in a row, the price range was quite wide for similar weight cattle.
Larger operations were focused on pre-conditioned vaccinated cattle given the adverse weather conditions. The quality of cattle on offer was quite variable with smaller packages surfacing. Year-end buying was evident in some cases on lower flesh higher quality feeders.
More livestock news: Canadian cattle groups look to renew national organization
Read Also
Equine herpes case confirmed at Moose Jaw Exhibition Company
The Moose Jaw Exhibition Company has been placed under quarantine, effective Dec. 22, due to a confirmed case of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) at the grounds.
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $495/cwt delivered, relatively unchanged from the prior week. Using a 60 per cent grading, this equates to a live price of $297/cwt. Ontario packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $520/cwt. Ontario demand set the price structure in Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan resulting in a premium over Alberta markets.
The Ste Rose Auction Mart in Manitoba, had a four-pack of red steers weighing 820 pounds that traded for $494/cwt. At the Ponoka sale, a dozen black steers weighing 868 pounds traded for $444/cwt.
North of Calgary, a smaller package of Charolais based steers coming off cows and hay weighing just over 740 pounds apparently traded for $540/cwt. At the Ste Rose Auction, the market report had a group of 42 Simmental cross steers with a mean weight of 730 pounds were valued at $553/cwt.
More markets news: Manitoba cattle prices Dec. 16
The Rimbey market report included a 13 pack of Angus cross Simmental, short-weaned, heifers coming off hay diet evaluated at 655 pounds notched the board at $490/cwt. At the Lloydminster sale, a group of 37 tan steers scaled at 650 pounds traded for $592/cwt.
At the Vermillion Livestock Exchange pre-sort sale, 14 black heifers averaging 568 pounds traded for $597/cwt. At the same location, a five pack of British based steers on the card at 538 pounds were last bid $650/cwt.
In Central Saskatchewan, a smaller package of Charolais steers weighing just over 500 pounds apparently traded for $718/cwt.
Adverse weather in Southern Alberta over the past couple of weeks has resulted in softer buying interest.
