Less cattle were marketed in Saskatchewan last week compared to the prior week, according to the Canfax Cattle Market Update for the week ending February 9.

There were 10,010 head of cattle marketed in the province last week, down from the 12,676 head reported the previous week. Year-to-date, the volume is down 40 percent from 2023, but is near the 10,266 head marketed on February 10, 2023.

On feeder steer prices, only two categories did not prices available – 300-400 lb and 900+ lb. Prices ranged from $308.83 per cwt for the 800-900 lb category to $444.50 in the 400-500 lb category, which also had the biggest week-over-week increase for both steers and heifers of $21.25.

Livestock Intern at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Emily Taylor says reduced feed prices and smaller market volumes are factors strengthening the feeder markets.

For feeder heifers, the 300-400 lb category was the only one that did not have enough data to report on. Heifer prices ranged from $283.00 in the 800+ lb category to $377.83 in the 400-500 lb category, with the 600-700 lb category having the largest week-over-week price decrease of $6.83 at $309.17 per cwt.

Prices of live, non-fed cattle in Alberta were slightly up last week compared to the previous week, according to Canfax. D2 slaughter cows averaged $132.09 per cwt, up $1.89 from the previous week. D3 slaughter cows were up $8.66 from the previous week to average $118.79 per cwt. 

Canfax also noted the price for Alberta fed steers last week was $219.38, a bit higher than the prior week’s price of $217.50 per cwt.