A total of 3,330 head of cattle were sold in Saskatchewan the week ending September 1. This number is down from 4,132 head sold the previous reporting week, and down from 3,793 head the same week a year ago, Saskatchewan Agriculture reported.
Saskatchewan feeder steer prices were higher over the week in the limited weight categories reported. Saskatchewan feeder steer prices increased between $0.83 per cwt and $4.50 per cwt over the week. The biggest price gain of $4.50 per cwt was in the 800 lb. to 900 lb. weight category.
Saskatchewan feeder heifer prices were reported in all the weight categories over the week except the 300 lb. to 400 lb. weight category. Prices were steady to higher from the previous reporting week with bigger price spreads in each weight category from the previous week. Feeder heifer prices ranged from unchanged to $8.36 per cwt higher, compared to the previous week. The biggest price gain over the week was in the over 800 lb. weight category which increased $8.36 per cwt.
The Saskatchewan 750 lb. feeder steer basis compared to the U.S. feeder cattle index price could not be calculated as there were no reported prices for Saskatchewan 700 lb. to 800 lb. feeder steers.
Feeder cattle daily futures prices were mixed over the week to end mixed, week-over-week. The nearby August 2017 contract increased US$1.705 per cwt to expire at US$143.080 per cwt. The September contract increased US$0.625 per cwt to settle Friday at US$143.550 per cwt. The October contract declined US$0.225 per cwt to settle Friday at US$142.725 per cwt.
Live daily cattle futures prices were mixed over the week with bigger losses on Tuesday to end the week lower, week-over-week. The nearby August contract declined US$1.425 per cwt to expire at US$104.525 per cwt. The October contract declined US$1.775 per cwt to settle Friday at US$105.150 per cwt. The December contract declined US$0.450 per cwt to settle Friday at US$109.475 per cwt. Prices for liveweight, non-fed cattle in Alberta were lower over the week. The price of D1 and D2 slaughter cows declined $3.50 per cwt to average $95.50 per cwt. The price of D3 slaughter cows declined $3.87 per cwt to average $86.20 per cwt. Fed cattle prices for Alberta fed steers averaged $137.60 per cwt over the week, down $0.93 per cwt from $138.53 per cwt the last reporting week.
