The temporary closure of the XL Food plant in Brooks is already having an effect on cattlemen in the province.

At a livestock auction Friday in Westlock, cattle buyer Bill Seniuk of Vegreville tells the Calgary Herald that prices for heavy or slaughter-ready cattle have dropped by about 30 to 40 dollars a head over the past week. Prices for calves and lighter cattle, which aren’t due to head to the slaughterhouse for another year, remain steady.

Ken Stanley, who has a small feedlot near Westlock, adds he had two major orders cancelled, Friday.

According to cattle buyer Marty Young, the closure of one of two major packing plants in the province has created a ripple effect.  He notes if XL Foods can’t process the livestock, producers can’t move slaughter-ready cattle and then replace them with younger cattle.
 
The closure comes at a bad time of the year according to Brian Bobilek who was also at Friday’s auction in Westlock.  He points out that it happens at a time of the year when many producers are trying to sell off parts of their herd.