Most of the cattle prices in Saskatchewan, that had enough data to report on, were up last week.

According to the Cattle Market Update for the week ending March 1, prices for feeder steers in the 600-700 and 800-900 lb weight category increased week-over-week except for the 500-600 lb category which declined by 33 cents to an average of $427.17 per cwt. The biggest increase for steers was in the 600-700 lb category at $14.16 to an average of $398.83 per cwt. There wasn’t enough data for the 300-400, 700-800, and 900+ lb categories to establish a price. 

Prices for feeder heifers were also up compared to the prior week with the biggest jump in the 600-700 lb category at $11.16 for an average price of $337.99 per cwt. Prices ranged from $293 in the 800+ lb category up to $405.83 in the 400-500 lb category. There was no data available for 300-400 lb heifer weight category.

Fonda Froats, the Provincial Cattle Specialist for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, says there was good demand from feedlots with buyers from Ontario and the U.S. and grazing areas had improved moisture conditions from recent precipitation. Froats also says there appears to be more optimism in the industry and good demand for less cattle available, supporting the market. 

There were 7,777 Saskatchewan feeder cattle marketed last week, below the 9,153 feeder cattle marketed the previous week.

Meanwhile, prices for Alberta cows were up, as the Canfax price for Alberta fed steers was $233.38 per cwt. Prices on Alberta cows increased for the week ending March 1. The price of D2 cows averaged $148.93 per cwt, up $4.83 over the previous week while the price of D3 cows was up $1.28 from the previous week to average $130.25 per cwt.