For the week ending April 11, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $5 higher on average compared to seven days earlier.
Steer calves under 700 pounds were quite variable with quotes coming steady to $15/cwt above week-ago levels. Heifers under 700 pounds were steady to $8 higher on average.
The VJV market report from Ponoka included Charolais based steers averaging 1,012 pounds coming off a diet of five pounds of barley and corn silage with full processing records traded for $453/cwt
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- For daily livestock market updates, visit The Western Producer Markets Desk
Northern Livestock Sales in Lloydminster reported a smaller package of medium to larger frame Simmental cross steers carrying lighter butter with a mean weight of 926 pounds exited the ring at $486/cwt. At the same sale, a package of 163 Charolais heifers carrying lower flesh with a mean weight of 861 pounds on backgrounding grain and silage ration with full preconditioning dropped the gavel at $467/cwt.
At the Ste. Rose auction, a package of 30 mixed steers averaging 814 pounds were last bid at $535/cwt. At the same sale, a smaller string of 837-pound black heifers sold for $457/cwt.
South of Calgary, medium to larger frame Charolais cross heifers evaluated at 720 pounds sold for $548/cwt at a ring sale. A producer north of Calgary reported a group of larger frame Angus cross steers weighing 715 pounds on silage and light grain ration with full processing records sold for $790 at a ring sale.
The TEAM market report included a group of 190 Simmental/Angus/Gelbvieh blended heifers averaging 610 pounds on a diet of silage and seven pounds of whole oats with full processing records but no implants traded for $618/cwt fob ranch near Hines Creek, Alberta.
At the Ste. Rose auction, a group of 84 black steers averaging 642 pounds were last bid at 659/cwt. At the same sale, a group of 33 black steers scaled at 547 pounds notched the board at $751/cwt. Northern Livestock Sales in Lloydminster reported a 10-pack of black heifers weighing 495 pounds that traded for $700/cwt.
The VJV market report from Weslock included 13 Simmental cross Angus weaned steers averaging 452 pounds traded for on a diet of oats and hay mixture with full processing records sold for $731/cwt.
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis at $328-$330/cwt fob feedlot in Southern Alberta, up $3-$5/cwt from seven days earlier. The June live cattle futures closed at $249/cwt on Friday, which was a fresh contract high. Stronger live cattle values has renewed optimism in the feeder complex.
