Feeder steeer prices down in Sask.; average for feeder heifers

Highlights for the week include:

• Feeder steer prices were down across the reported weight categories for the week. Prices ranged from $260.67 per cwt for the 300-400lb weight category to $186.89 per cwt for the 900+lb weight category. The smallest price decrease was seen in the 500-600lb weight category, with a price decrease of $0.17 per cwt to finish the week off at $225.00 per cwt. That largest price decrease was seen in the 800-900lb weight category with a price decrease of $3.66 per cwt to finish the week off at $188.67 per cwt. 
• The average weekly prices for Saskatchewan’s feeder heifers saw both ups and downs across the reported weight categories. Prices ranged from $208.75 per cwt for the 300-400lb weight category to $171.67 per cwt for the 800+lb weight category. The only price increase reported was seen in the 500-600lb weight category with an increase of $5.29 per cwt to finish the week off at $194.29 per cwt. The largest price decline was seen in the 400-500lb weight category with a decrease of $5.08 per cwt to finish the week off at $200.75 per cwt. 
• Nearby live cattle future contracts were relatively steady throughout the week. The February live cattle futures contract had a slight decrease of US$0.050 per cwt relative to the week of January 14^th to settle Friday at US$137.925 per cwt. The April contract had a slight price decrease of US$0.025 per cwt compared to the January 14^th contract to settle Friday at US$142.100 per cwt.
• Choice beef cutout prices (600-900 lb.) for the week averaged US$290.87 per cwt, an increase of US$10.60 per cwt from US$280.27 per cwt than the week of January 14^th, a price increase of 3.8 per cent.