Cattle feeders are seeing better prices but are still being hit hard by higher costs, says a provincial livestock market analyst.
Fed cattle prices were up 6.4 per cent on the year and 12 per cent above the five-year-average as of mid-June, said Ann Boyda, but feeders south of the border are seeing even better prices.
“The Alberta fed steer price remains lower than Nebraska price with a spread that is significantly higher than the five-year average price spread,” she said. “Strong demand from packers in the U.S. for a limited supply of cattle supported the stronger U.S. prices.”
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The American cattle sector is in the contraction portion of the cycle and that means a smaller calf crop and a stronger price outlook, she said.
