Cattle prices were varied for Saskatchewan producers

Saskatchewan Agriculture reports that it is Cattle Market Update has mixed results. Highlights include:

·Saskatchewan feeder steer were mixed this week. Saskatchewan feeder steer prices ranged between an increase of $4.84 per cwt to a decrease of $2.45 per cwt; compared to the previous report. The largest reported price decline was for the 900+ lb. feeder steer weight category while the largest price increase was reported for the 300-400 lb. feeder steer weight category.

·Saskatchewan feeder heifer prices were also mixed over the week. Prices ranges from an increase of $4.10 to a declined of $4.23 per cwt; compared to the previous report. The largest reported price increase was for the 600-700 lb. feeder weight category while the largest price decline was in the 700-800 lb. feeder heifer weight category.

·Feeder cattle daily futures were mixed over the week with prices higher early in the week before declining Thursday and Friday. The nearby March Contract ended the week slightly higher while the May contract experienced price declines; week-overweek. The March contract increased $0.600 per cwt to settle Friday at US$140.200 per cwt. The May contract declined $1.325 per cwt to settle Friday at US$142.850 per cwt.

·Live daily cattle futures prices were also mixed over the week with nearby prices ending lower; week-overweek. Both February and April contracts experienced price declines with the April contract having the largest decline of US$2.900 per cwt to settle Friday at US$118.250 per cwt. The February contract declined $2.600 per cwt compared to last week.

·Choice beef cutout prices (600-900 lb.) for the week averaged US$205.71 per cwt over the week,

US$1.81 per cwt from US$207.52 per cwt the previous week, and down 5.5 per cent from US$217.72 per cwt the same week a year ago.