Most feeder cattle weight classes reported lower prices last week as the market continues to deal with the impact of the XL plant closure in Brooks.

Canfax reports 7,301 head were sold through Saskatchewan auction markets last week--virtually the same total as the previous week.

The average price for heavy feeder steers weighing more than 800 pounds fell an average of $3.75 to $5.75 per hundredweight. Cattle feeders were reluctant to place heavy feeders that will reach market weight in the near future.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has started a detailed assessment of the XL Foods plant. A date for a reopening has not been set and will only be made once the CFIA is satisfied that the company has dealt with maintenance and sanitation issues. Those problems lead to the E.coli reports that prompted a massive beef recall.

There was also heavy downward price pressure on cow prices. D1,D2 cows in Alberta fell $5.50 per hundredweight to an average of $63.75 per hundredweight.

FEEDER CATTLE

Steers                                        Range                               Average                            Change

300-400                                    175-198                              183.33                                -2.67

400-500                                    153-185                              164.67                               +0.34

500-600                                    143-165                              151.10                               -2.05

600-700                                    135-149                              142.33                               -2.37

700-800                                    126-142                              134.10                               -3.78

800-900                                    121-132                              126.25                               -5.75

900+                                         115-128                              120.96                               -3.87

Heifers

300-400                                    147-177                              159.83                               +1.16

400-500                                    135-163                              149.88                               +2.08

500-600                                    125-146                              133.50                               -0.20

600-700                                    120-135                              125.95                               -3.62

700-800                                    115-126                              121.38                               -4.09

800+                                         110-124                              118.40                                -3.32