Pretty quiet in here...

[kato]

If everyone is like us, they are likely out paying up the bills. Lol

We sold some more calves last week, and are pleased to report that for that day, the prices have held up pretty well. We came home doing the Happy Dance.

However, that being said, the discounts are holding up too. Extreme is the word that comes to mind in some cases. The worst we saw in the presort was a couple of pens of light black calves. They were healthy looking and virtually identical. The only flaw we could figure out was in their frame sizes. I compared what the heifers brought compared to Char heifers of the same weight, and the difference was about $600.00! On a four weight calf? That's extreme. I suspect there were some complaints when cheques were picked up. In a presort there is no option to pass.

So, if anyone has calves to sell, they should make sure they are healthy, castrated, dehorned, and looking sharp. For the last year or two, poor calf preparation has not been discounted, but those days are gone. The buyers will pay, but only if the calves are worth it. It would be a good idea to check out a sale and see what's up.

[SCS]

Sending liner load next week, will give update!

[SADIE]

Very connected across Saskatchewan with CPPAS directors. (community Pasture patrons Association). Annual meeting in Davidson on Tuesday Feb 10.

Already heard of some off farm sales of 2014 heifer calves open replacements sales.

Very very good prices for the right weight and quality.

Will put more information on AV after Cppas annual meeting next week on these sales.

Wow.

[Horse]

Sale at westlock sat cows are all over the price range from 3000/1300 depending on quality and age Bred hfrs 1200#ish $220/# Nebor sold 92 in the yard probably 1250# one buyer $2800 good cattle he runs about 400 cows so a fair split. Hope they make some money .

[grassfarmer]

Noticed the discounting too kato. First week's sale in January was an improving trade so we shipped half what we had to sell the following week and it was just on fire - no discounts there. Took the second half the following week and there were discounts all over. For size, heifers, anything going - 15 to 20 cent discount in my eyes for calves that had nothing wrong with them. Just a sign of a weakening trade I thought.
Averaged out ok for us and the next feeders we will be selling will be in Manitoba.

[kato]

It seems if they want them, they want them. And if they don't, they don't. Homework before selling is a good idea. We still have a few to go, then we can sit back until next calf crop.

[blackjack]

Like Grassfarmer said the first week of January sales were very srong .Seven to eight weight strs have dropped 10% or more in the last month.The feeder better have good eye appeal ...like Kato said or get docked big time.

[DGoodrich]

It was bound to happen. Boxed beef in the US has been dropping rapidly, trickle down always comes within a few weeks here.

[errolanderson]

the difficulty facing the wholesale beef market in 2015 will be the surplus meat situation developing in the U.S. and reduced consumer spending.

this stems for the excessive poultry and pork stocks and an unexpected tick-up in cattle inventories.

cheap, abundant corn supplies will be fed through livestock to record weights.