Sask. cattle prices were down noticeably in some categories; steady in others

Canfax report for the week of Oct. 8

 The latest Cattle Market Update for the week ending October 8. Highlights for the week include:

·         Feeder steer prices were noticeably lower in the low to mid-weight categories, but steady in the heavier weight categories when compared to prices reported the previous week. Prices ranged from $267.86 per cwt for the 300-400lb weight category to $182.50 per cwt for the 900+lb weight category this week. The largest price increase was seen in the 800-900lb weight category, with prices improving $0.36 per cwt to end the week averaging $193.61 per cwt. The largest price decline was seen in the 500-600lb weight category, with prices declining $7.67 per cwt to end the week averaging $217.00 per cwt.

·         Average weekly prices for Saskatchewan’s feeder heifers were mainly lower across the reported weight categories when compared to prices reported the previous week. Prices ranged from $212.00 per cwt for the 300-400lb weight category to $175.00 cwt for the 800+lb weight category. The only price increase was seen in the 700-800lb weight category, with prices improving $0.99 per cwt to end the week averaging $179.96 per cwt. The largest price decline was seen the 300-400lb weight category, with prices declining $8.29 per cwt.

·         Live future contracts saw daily improvements throughout the week with the exception of a slight downturn on Tuesday, ending the week higher overall. The October live cattle futures contract improved US$5.175 per cwt relative to the previous week to settle Friday at US$125.575 per cwt. The December contract saw a price increase of US$5.050 per cwt compared to the previous week to settle Friday at US$130.250 per cwt.

·         Choice beef cutout prices (600-900 lb.) for the week averaged US$286.42 per cwt, down US$11.37 per cwt from US$297.79 per cwt the previous week, a noticeable decrease of 3.8 per cent. However, the choice beef cutout value is still 32.6 per cent higher than the same week a year ago when it was valued at $216.03.

Canfax report for the week of Oct. 8Mixed cattle markets in Sask.