A total of 4,132 head of cattle were sold in Saskatchewan for the week ending August 25, reported Saskatchewan Agriculture. This figure is down slightly from the 4,183 head sold the previous week, and down from 4,783 head the same week a year ago.
Saskatchewan feeder steer prices were mixed over the week and ranged between $6.12 per cwt lower to $3.25 per cwt higher, compared to the previous week. The largest loss over the week was in the 700-800 lb. feeder steer category. The biggest gain of $3.25 per cwt was in the 600-700 lb. weight category. The 500-600 lb. feeder steer category averaged $207.83 per cwt over the reporting week.
Saskatchewan feeder heifer prices were reported in all the weight categories except the 300-400 lb. weight category over the reporting week. Prices were mixed over this week and ranged from $4.83 per cwt lower in the 500-600 lb. weight category to $1.00 per cwt higher in the 600-700 lb. feeder heifer weight category.
The Saskatchewan 750 lb. feeder steer basis compared to the August 24 U.S. feeder cattle index at US$143.24 per cwt was calculated at (+$10.94) per cwt ($189.88 - US$143.24/0.8005), a basis widening of $1.52 per cwt from the basis of (+$12.46) per cwt the previous week.
Feeder cattle daily futures prices were mixed over the reporting week with big gains Tuesday to help push prices higher week-over-week. The nearby August 2017 contract increased US$0.875 per cwt to settle Friday at US$141.375 per cwt. The September contract increased US$2.900 per cwt to settle Friday at US$142.925 per cwt. The October contract increased US$3.025 per cwt to settle Friday at US$142.950 per cwt.
Live daily cattle futures prices were mixed over the reporting week to end mixed. The nearby August contract declined US$0.425 per cwt to settle Friday at US$105.950 per cwt. The October contract increased US$1.025 per cwt to settle Friday at US$106.925 per cwt. The December contract increased US$2.075 per cwt to settle Friday at US$109.925 per cwt.
