By farmnewsNOW Staff

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday March 6, 2024

Mar 6, 2024 | 2:51 PM

Some of the feeder steer and heifer prices in Saskatchewan, that had enough data to report on experienced positive gains last week.

Provincial Cattle Specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Fonda Froats, said only one steer weight category saw a week-over-week price decrease, while all of the heifer prices were up.

Prices were reported amongst four weight categories for Saskatchewan feeder steers. Prices ranged from $475.58 per cwt for the 400-400lb weight category down to $322.43 per cwt in the 800-900lb weight category. The largest increase was $14.16 per cwt in the 600-700lb weight category while the 500-600lb steers were down just $0.33 per cwt from the prior week. Prices for Saskatchewan feeder heifers were established for all but the 300-400lb weight category. Prices all gained above the prior week and ranged from $405.83 per cwt for the 400-500lb weight category to $293.00 per cwt for the 800+lb weight category. The largest price gain was in the 600-700lb category, which increased $11.16 per cwt from the week prior.

There appeared to be good demand from feedlots over the week, which included buyers from Ontario and US. Some of the grazing areas have also seen improved moisture conditions, which put demand on grass cattle.

“I think we’re seeing optimism in the industry and also good demand for less cattle available, which is supporting the market,” Froats said.

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Cattle Market Update (Government of Saskatchewan)

Prices of live, non-fed cattle in Alberta reported on March 1 were up compared to the previous week. The price of D2 slaughter cows averaged $148.93 per cwt, up just $4.83 over the previous week. The price of D3 slaughter cows was up $1.28 from the previous week to average $130.25 per cwt.. The Canfax price for Alberta fed steers on the week ending March 1 was $233.38.

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The Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission says he intends to retire from the role next month when his appointment extension wraps up.

In a message to grain sector stakeholders, Doug Chorney says he was “humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to serve” in the role, calling it the highlight of his professional career.

He also recalled major drought, the COVID-19 pandemic, and through one of the largest strikes in Canada’s history as some notable events he lead the Grain Commission through.

Chorney’s last day is April 30th. Chorney initially joined the Grain Commission as Assistant Chief Commissioner in 2017 and has been the Chief Commissioner for the last 3 years.

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In international agriculture news, Poland has seen its most violent protest by farmers and supporters yet as some participants threw stones at police and tried to push through barriers around parliament. Several officers were injured. Police say they detained over a dozen people and prevented the protesters from getting through to parliament. Farmers are angry over European Union climate policies and food imports from Ukraine that they say threaten their livelihoods. Such protests have occurred across the 27-member EU in recent weeks. The farmers were joined by miners, foresters, hunters and other supporters.

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–With files from Canadian Press