Federally-inspected cattle slaughter volumes in Ontario to the end of March were down from last year but higher than they were in 2013.
Beef Farmers of Ontario says there were just under 130 thousand head slaughtered to March 28th this year.
That's a little over 6 thousand less than last year, almost 4 thousand more than in 2013.
There were just over 30 thousand 3 hundred cull cows sold through Ontario auction markets to the end of March - down almost 6 thousand head rom last y ear, about 84 hundred less than in 2013.
And the just under 52 thousand replacements sold in the province as of April 10th was down 234 from the same time last year, just over 11 hundred fewer than in 2013.
BFO reports last week's fed cattle sales of 670 head were up 450 from the previous week and 264 more than last year.
The average fed steer price was 7.67 stronger than the previous week, almost 60 dollars higher than last year.
That average of 203.32 was also the first time the weekly average has gone above 200 dollars.
Fed heifers traded down 63 cents on the week, almost 51 dollars higher on the year.
Last week's cull cattle sales of just under 1800 head were up over 500 from the previous week but over 700 fewer than a year ago.
The average price was up 14 cents on the week, almost 32 dollars higher on the year.
Last week's just over 38 hundred replacement cattle sold through Ontario auction markets was up about 11 hundred on the week but down 990 from last year.
Grass weights sold stronger with prices 2 to 5 dollars higher while yearlings were fully steady to stronger. ===
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 April 9, 2015 There were 670 fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week up 450 head from last week and 264 more than last year at this time. Fed steers ranged from $196.86-$208.18 with a weekly weighted average price of $203.32, with this being the first week the average price has crossed the $200.00 mark. This week's price for steers averaged $7.67 stronger than last week and $59.69 more than last year at this time. Heifers traded from $186.59-$201.45 averaging $195.05 down $0.63 from last week and $50.76 stronger than year ago prices. Auction markets reported active trading with prices starting out as $1.00 higher, to $2.00-$3.00 higher, and by midweek prices were at least $2.00-$5.00 higher. Fancy cattle were reported as bringing further premiums as steers topped the market at $227.00 live and heifers at $224.00.
Federally Inspected cattle slaughter volumes in Ontario, as of March 28, 2015 totalled 129,639 head which is down 6,182 head from March 28, 2014, but, is 3,840 more head than March 28, 2013 ytd. Exports of live fed steers and heifers through Ontario ports to the US totalled 8,334 head as of March 28, 2015, down 561 head from March 28, 2014, but 883 more than March 28, 2013. Cull cow exports as of March 28, 2015 totalled 29,316 head, down 2,454 from the same time in 2014 and 6,396 less than March 28, 2013.
Ontario rail grade prices started out this reporting period $2.00 higher than last week. Steers sold from $330.00-$331.00 dressed early week to $330.00-$332.00 by midweek while heifers sold from $329.00-$330.00 early week to $329.00-$331.00 by midweek. This week's average prices are up $5.50 from last week on average and $76.50 stronger than last year at this time, on average.
1,794 cull cows sold through auction markets this week up 556 head from last week but 764 less than last year at this time. Cull cows sold from $104.14-$140.66 averaging $123.86 up $0.14 from last week and $31.77 more than last year at this time. The volume of cull cows sold through auction markets as of March 31, 2015 totalled 30,329 head which is down 5,987 head from March 31, 2014 and 8,482 less than March 31, 2013. Auction markets reported a strong demand with prices holding steady, with one market noting prices $3.00-$5.00 higher.
There were 3,873 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week up 1,117 head from last week but 990 less than last year at this time. As of April 10, 2015 there has been 51,983 replacements sold through Ontario auction markets down 234 head from the same time in 2014, and 1,113 less than April 10, 2013 ytd. Auction markets are reporting a very strong demand with active trading. Grass weights are reported as stronger with prices up $2.00-$5.00 while yearlings are fully steady to stronger. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs down $5.09 from last week on average, 500-600 lbs down $1.66, 600-700 lbs up $14.30, 700-800 lbs up $9.51, 800-900 lbs up $13.30, 900-1000 lbs up $3.89 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $2.43 lower than last week. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $12.14 stronger than last week on average, 400-500 lbs were up $8.94, 500-600 lbs down $2.10, 600-700 lbs up $17.29, 700-800 lbs down $0.07, 800-900 lbs up $1.39 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $0.17 higher than last week.
The Quebec Electronic Market for the week ending April 3, 2015 was reported from $327.50-$328.50 up $7.50 from the previous week on average. This week Quebec reported prices from $331.75-$334.25 dressed, up $4.67 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade this week was light with prices from steady to $4.00 higher. At time of reporting Canfax was still collecting prices, however steers are reported from $333.50-$335.00 dressed with a live average around $2.00. Final results will be available on Monday.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending April 3rd did not develop until Friday morning where business was light to moderate. Southern sales were up $2.00 on average from last week while northern trade averaged $3.50 higher. The USDA Mandatory Price Report listed steers and heifers from $165.00-$170.00 live with steers averaging $167.57 up from $165.57 the previous week, while heifers averaged $167.63 live up from $165.51. On the rail prices ranged from $263.00-$271.00 dressed with steers averaging $265.64 up from $262.15 the previous week while heifers averaged $265.74 up from $262.28. At time of reporting, this week's market remains untested with just a few scattered bids in the south at $162.00-$163.00 live and $260.00-$263.00 dressed in the north which is far below asking prices of $170.00 live and $270.00 dressed. Packer interest is expected to improve as the day progresses, with business expected to surface in the next several hours.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
