The number of cattle moving through Saskatchewan auction marts picked up last week

The latest Cattle Marketing Report shows 10, 109 head of cattle were sold in the week ending April 29, up from the 5,825 the previous week.

Livestock Economist Brad Marceniuk says feeder steer prices were mixed over the week with small price gains in weight categories above 600 pounds and declines reported in weight categories below 600 pounds.

"This is the opposite of last week.  Prices ranged from $244.13 per cwt for the 300-400lb. weight category to $177.75 per cwt for the 900+lb. weight category. The largest price increase was seen in the 700-800lb. weight category which increased $3.79 per cwt to average $206.54 per cwt for the week. The biggest price decline was seen in the 300-400lb. weight category which declined $4.87 per cwt to average $244.13 per cwt."

He says the feeder heifers saw increases in 400 plus weight category with the average weekly prices ranged from $212.92 per cwt for the 300-400 pounders to $170.06 per cwt for the 800 plus category. 

"The biggest price increase over the week was in the 500-600lb. weight category with prices up $4.38 per cwt to average $199.93 per cwt over the week.  The smallest price increase was reported in the 800+lb. feeder heifer weight category which increased $1.39 per cwt to average $170.06 per cwt for the week. "

He notes cull cow prices continue to be very strong with the price of D2 slaughter cow prices averaged $105.94 per cwt, while the price of D3 slaughter cows averaged $94.25 per cwt.

Marceniuk says there was some improved demand overall which helped to influence  prices.

"US prices were mixed and steady but we did see we had a weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar last week."

He notes with the warmer weather on the horizon and better moisture conditions, we should see the demand further improve for grasser cattle in the coming weeks.