Prices much better now that border open to Canadian beef

Ken Johnston

Numbers looked much better at the annual Rainy River Cattlemen’s Yearling Sale in Stratton two weekends ago.
In addition to seeing a 34% increase in the number of cattle sold, up to 1,350 from 1,040 last year, the prices fetched this year were marked improved over last year.
Sales Barn Manager Russell Richards said they saw as much as 30¢/lb. improvement over last year. “Good package seven weight (700lbs. range) heifers were getting between $1.07-$1.09/lb. and good package seven weight heifers were $1.15-$1.18.”
Last year the good yearlings were getting between 85-87¢/lb., which was basically selling at a loss.
The reason for the vast improvement this has been the reopening of the U.S. border to live Canadian cattle. Richards said producers are very relieved the border is open.
The sale also saw 110 cows sold at about 40¢/lb. which is about double over last year.
Some nine weight yearlings went for $1.07-$1.09/lb.
The cattle went both east and west to buyers and Richards said the support of local producers of the local barn has remained good. “They are getting respectable prices here, comparable to Winnipeg and they don’t have to pay the shipping costs.” Those costs have skyrocketed with the prices of fuel going way up in the past month or so.
The next sale for the RRCA is a calf sale on October 1st.