Cattle sales show drop in prices across many categories

The most recent cattle market reports show that a lot of categories saw drops in prices.

The Manitoba weekly auction mart report showed that last week feeder steer prices fell, ranging from an average of $430.50 per cwt for the 401 to 500-pound weights to $316.50 per cwt for the 801 to 900-pound category.  The biggest drop of $26.83 per cwt came in the 501-600 weight category dropping to an average of $395.50 per cwt, with no category showing an increase in price.

Heifer prices ranged from an average price of $367.50 per cwt for the 401 to 500-pound range to an average of $275.50 per cwt for the 800-900 category. The biggest drop of $27.67 was reported in the 501 to 600-pound range with a small increase of $1.92 in the 701-800 category.

Saskatchewan steer prices only had a single category of cattle sold over the week, with the 700-800 category reporting $350.67 per cwt. That single category for the week saw a decrease of $10.62 per cwt.

Feeder heifers likewise only saw a single category being traded, also the 701-800 category. Average available prices were at $313.17, falling by $11.33 per cwt from the week prior.

The Canfax price for Alberta fed steers for the week ending May 17 was $260.28 per cwt, a small price increase of $0.17 per cwt over the previous week.

Looking at slaughter prices in Manitoba D1-D2 cows averaged $168.50 per cwt, D3's averaged $14.50 per cwt, and slaughter bull prices ended the week with an average price of $208

Alberta D2 cows were up $0.81 per cwt for an average of $185.58 per cwt, while D3's averaged of $169.29 per cwt.