Sask. Agriculture reports mixed cattle market prices

Prices for Saskatchewan beef producers were varied this past week:

·Saskatchewan feeder steer were mixed this week. Saskatchewan feeder steer prices ranged between an increase of $2 per cwt to a decrease of $8.50 per cwt; compared to the previous report. The largest reported price decline was for the 300-400 lb. feeder steer weight category while the largest price increase was reported for the 500600 lb. feeder steer weight category.

·Saskatchewan feeder heifer prices were also mixed over the week. Prices ranges from an increase of $6.23 to a declined of $3.60 per cwt; compared to the previous report. The largest reported price increase was for the 300400 lb. feeder weight category while the largest price decline was in the 800+ lb. feeder heifer weight category.

· Feeder cattle daily futures decreased over the week with price declined experienced throughout the week. The nearby March contract decreased $8.925 per cwt to settle Friday at US$131.275 per cwt. The May contract declined $9.325 per cwt to settle Friday at US$133.525 per cwt.

· Live daily cattle futures prices also experienced decreases over the week with nearby prices ending lower; weekover-week. Both February and April contracts experienced price declines with the April contract having the largest decline of US$10.625 per cwt to settle Friday at US$107.575 per cwt. The February contract declined $7.025 per cwt compared to the previous week.

· In Saskatchewan total cattle on all cattle operations as of January 1, 2020 was estimated at 2.195 million head, down 1.3 per cent from 2.225 million head on January 1, 2019. Cattle on cowcalf operations were 1.0 per cent lower at 1.842 million head from a year ago.