The number of cattle slaughtered in Ontario in the first two months of this year is down about 16 thousand from last year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario says this years preliminary slaughter number was 91 thousand 3 hundred.
Last year, almost 108 thousand head had been slaughtered in provincial and federally-inspected plants in the province by the end of February.
BFO reports last week's fed cattle volume was up just slightly from the previous week and from a year ago.
Average fed steer prices were up 66 cents on the week, over 47 dollars stronger on the year.
Fed heifers were up over 3 dollars from last week and more than 47 dollars stronger than last year.
Provincial cull cow volumes were down 333 from the previous week, down over 7 hundred from last year.
The average prices were down just over 2 dollars from the previous week but still over 35 dollars better than a year ago.
Over 44 hundred replacement cattle sold through Ontario auction markets last week.
That's down almost 700 from the previous week and up almost 270 from last year.
BFO says replacement cattle marketings in the province so far this year are up over 55 hundred from this time in 2014.
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Weekly Cattle Comments - As Supplied by Beef Farmers of Ontario Ph: Toll free: 1-866-370-2333 or (519) 824-0334 Fax: (519) 824-9161 Email: markets@ontariobeef.com Comments for the week ending March 19, 2015 A steady volume of 592 fed steers and heifers were on offer this week at auction markets, just 37 more than last week and only 21 more than last year at this time. Fed steers traded from $190.84-$200.97 live averaging $196.14 up $0.66 from last week and $47.70 stronger than year ago prices. Heifers ranged from $184.00-$200.05 live averaging $193.53 up $3.20 from last week and $47.03 cwt stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets all reported a strong demand with active trading and prices went from strong and up to $2.00 higher, to full steady to strong as the week progressed.
Ontario rail grade prices managed to test new waters with prices improving as the week progressed. Steers started out at $318.00-$320.00 cwt dressed, to $318.00-$321.00 by Wednesday, averaging $2.25 stronger than last week. Heifers started out trading at $317.00-$319.00 cwt dressed, to $317.00-$320.00 by Wednesday, averaging $2.75 higher than last week. This week's average prices are $71.25 cwt more than last year at this time.
Cull cow volumes remain tight with 1,805 head sold through auction markets this week, down 333 from last week and 773 less than last year at this time. Cull cows sold from $102.07-$143.15 averaging $123.18 down $2.33 from last week but $35.36 cwt stronger than year ago prices. Auction markets reported a good strong demand with most reporting a steady market.
As of February 28, 2015, the Ontario slaughter volume from both Provincially and Federally Inspected plants combined totalled 91,300 head for 2015 (noting volumes for 2015 are still preliminary), down from 107,854 on February 28, 2014. On February 28, 2015 slaughtered steers totalled 56,047 head, down 7,097 from the same time in 2014, heifer totals were 23,289, down 3,100 head, and cull cow's totalled 11,964 head, down 6,357 from the same time last year. The Ontario Federal only slaughter volume as of March 14, 2015 was 108,522 head down 3,801 from the same time in 2014, but up 5,668 head from March 14, 2013.
There were 4,433 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week down 683 head from last week (only one special spring sale included) and 268 more than last year at this time. Volumes for 2015 as of March 19th totalled 43,800 head, up 5,585 head from this time last year, ytd, and 3,027 more than March 19, 2013 volumes. Auction markets reported trade as active on a strong demand. Lighter weights were steady to $3.00-$5.00 higher while heavier cattle sold barely steady to fully steady, to stronger by the end of the week. Grass weights were in good demand. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs up $9.83 from last week on average, 500-600 lbs up $4.14, 600-700 lbs up $6.80, 700-800 lbs down $3.75, 800-900 lbs down $1.18, 900-1000 lbs down $0.71 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $0.01 higher than last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $33.26 stronger than last week, 400-500 lbs up $5.31, 500-600 lbs down $0.26, 600-700 lbs down $6.84, 700-800 lbs down $8.78, 800-900 lbs down $5.47 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $1.24 stronger than last year at this time.
The Quebec Electronic Market averaged $6.13 stronger than last week with sales reported from $323.50-$327.75 dressed, but trade was extremely light.
Alberta direct trade was too light again this week to establish a price report. Canfax noted that the few sales that took place were $2.00 lower than last week with some heifers reported at $320.50 dressed.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending March 12th developed late Friday afternoon and was very light with prices holding steady. Live steers and heifers sold from $160.00-$163.50 with steers averaging $161.26 up from $161.07 the previous week while heifers averaged $161.10 up from $160.92, as reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report. Dressed deals ranged from $255.00-$262.00 with steers averaging $157.17 which is exactly the same price as last week, while heifers averaged $256.98 down from $257.42. At time of reporting the market is quiet with just a couple of token bids in the north reported at $255.00 dressed while asking prices are holding firm at $163.00 live and $260.00-$262.00 dressed. Business could be delayed until after the Cattle On Feed Report is released later this afternoon. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
