Cattle prices on the rise

Southern Alberta Newspapers

Cattle prices in Alberta continued to build on record values in May, according to new analysis from ATB Financial.

The average price for feeders per hundredweight in May almost reached $300, up 16 per cent over one year, while slaughter cows averaged about $250, a 12 per cent year-over-year rise.

That is 70 and 50 per cent above the five-year average, respectively.

“A key factor in the upward trajectory of cattle prices is the downsizing of the North American herd in the face of drought and escalating operating costs,” stated Rob Roach, of ATB Economics in his July 11 newsletter.

New averages come after a slump in the mid-2023, but show prices regained loses and pushed even higher after January.

Crop prices on the other hand are just now edging up after falling since last summer.

Wheat at $330 per tonne was up in April but remained 17 per cent lower that the previous year, similar to canola ($650) over the same time frame, while Barley ($295) sits 30 per cent below the spring 2023 mark.

Lead, pipework in Havre

Public works officials in Havre, Mont. are now evaluating bids to replace 24 kilometres on residential water mains, and 145 service connections that contain amounts of lead.

Bids for the work, estimated to cost US$9.1 million, were due in late June and work is expected to begin in September in the town of about 9,200 residents.

Work will be funded by a combination of grants and state-level revolving infrastructure loans.