December 21, 2007

Canada's cattle on feed down 7 percent

As of November 1, 2007 the total number of cattle on feed in Alberta and Saskatchewan was 926,685 heads, down 7 percent from the same period last year. However, this year was 2 percent larger than in November 2005 and to compare to pre-mad cow disease years it was down 6 percent when from November 1, 2002. 

While total on feed was slightly under last year, the number of cattle placed on to feed in the two provinces was considerably lower.  Placements were in October, down 18 percent or nearly 57,000 head when compared to last year.  Smaller auction market volumes, lower feeder prices, larger feeder exports and high feed costs which will delay some placement onto finishing rations have all played a role in the lowest October placement figure on record.  All weight classes saw smaller placements, calves under 500 pounds were 22 percent smaller, calves 600-699 pounds were down 10 percent, 700-799 pounds saw 41 percent fewer placed while the larger feeders over 800 lbs were down 6 percent. 

Fed cattle marketing in October from the two provinces were virtually unchanged from the year ago as the number of cattle either killed domestically of exported for slaughter totalled just over 229,000 head.