The feeder market in Saskatchewan remained strong last week, according to the latest Cattle Market Update from Canfax.
The update for the week ending February 23 showed prices for all feeder steer categories, and all but one feeder heifer category, week-over-week increases. Steer prices ranged from $313 per cwt in the 800-900 lb category to $427.50 in the 500-600 lb weight category. The biggest increase was in the 600-700 lb category at $11.67 to $384.67 per cwt. On the feeder heifer side, prices ranged from $286.50 in the 800+ lb category to $402.33 in the 400-500 lb category. The largest price increase was for the 500-600 lb heifers at $7.48 to $370 per cwt, and the lone decrease was for the 800+ lb heifers of $1.92.
Lower feed prices, seasonal demand, and some areas receiving moisture recently have driven the current feeder market trend, according to Fonda Froats, Provincial Cattle Specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.
There were 9,153 head of cattle marketed in Saskatchewan last week, below the 12,347 head recorded the previous week. It is however above the 7,779 head marketed in the February 24, 2023 report. Year-to-date, the number of feeder cattle is 30 percent below the 2023 level of 53,433 head marketed to date.
Prices for live non-fed cattle in Alberta were up — the price of D2 cows averaged $144.10 per cwt, up just 10 cents over the previous week and D3 cows was up $1.41 from the previous week to average $128.97 per cwt.
The price for Alberta fed steers was unavailable due to limited cash trade. The last price reported for fed steers was $219.73 per cwt for the week ending February 16.