September 24, 2007

Canada cattle on feed down 1 percent

The number of cattle and calves on feed in Canada as of September 1, 2007 totalled 796,811 head, nearly 1 percent less than one year ago but was 16.4 percent more than two years ago, figures from market analyst CanFax show.

The number of cattle placed on feed during August declined 1.4 percent from one year ago and 1.6 percent from two years ago to 182,319 head. Steers placed on feed totalled 98,552 head, which comprised 54.1 percent of the total placed. Heifers placed on feed equalled 83,768 head.

Placements of feeder cattle weighing less than 600 pounds totalled 5,297 head, which was 18.3 percent more than a year ago. The number of placements weighing 600 to 699 pounds amounted to 10,312 heads, up 27.8 percent over a year ago. On the other hand, placements weighing 700 to 799 pounds declined 13.9 percent from last year, totalling 41,798 head. Feeder cattle placements weighing more than 800 pounds equalled 124,913 head, almost 1.0 percent more than a year ago.

In the meantime, during August, Canada's fed cattle marketings totalled 172,412 head, up slightly over one year ago but was down 15.3 percent from two years ago.