Light receipts and lower prices for fed cattle in Ontario last week.
The 572 head on offer was down 154 head on the week, 136 more than a year ago.
Fed steers averaged $198.88 - down a dollar 82 on the week, almost 47 dollars higher than last year.
Fed heifers averaged $192.81 - down 4.72 from last week and over 46 dollars higher than last year.
The average Ontario railgrade prices last week were down 75 cents from the week before, over 78 dollars higher than last year.
The over 18 hundred cull cows sold in Ontario last week was up 15 head from the previous week but almost 200 fewer than last year.
The average price for those cows was 50 cents lower on the week, just over 30 dollars higher than last year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports 5 thousand 447 head of replacement cattle sold in the province last week.
That's down almost 19 hundred from the previous week but over 900 more than a year ago.
Auction markets reported active trading on good demand with light weights steady to stronger and yearlings steady.
BFO points out there were several special spring stocker sales the previous week, which may account for the significant week-to-week drop in replacement numbers on offer.
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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 April 23, 2015 Lighter receipts of 572 fed steers and heifers sold through Ontario auction markets this week down 154 head from last week and 136 more than last year at this time. Fed steers sold from $189.19-$208.90 with a weekly weighted average price of $198.88 down $1.82 from last week and $46.96 stronger than year ago prices. Fed heifers traded from $183.52-$200.56 averaging $192.81 down $4.72 from last week but $46.36 higher than last year at this time. Auction markets report trade as active with prices for most of the week at barely steady, with one report of steady. By the end of the week the market was reported as under pressure with prices $1.00-$2.00 easier. Extra fancy lots continue to bring premium prices with steers topping the market at $223.50 live cwt and heifers $217.25.
Ontario rail grade prices were a touch easier this week with steers starting out this reporting period at $333.00-$335.00 dressed, down to $330.00-$335.00 dressed by Wednesday. Heifers followed the same pricing trend starting out at $332.00-$334.00 dressed, ending the week at $329.00-$334.00. This week's average prices are $0.75 lower than last week but $78.50 cwt stronger than last year at this time.
There were 1,842 cull cows on offer at auction markets this week up 15 head from last week but 191 less than last year at this time. Cull cows sold from $102.57-$140.75 averaging $121.56 down $0.50 from last week but $30.13 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets all reported trade active at steady prices.
There were 5,447 head of replacement cattle on offer this week down 1,883 from last week but 955 more than last year at this time. Auction markets reported active trading on good demand with light weights steady to stronger, with one report of prices up $5.00-$10.00, while yearlings were steady. It is important to note that the previous week there were several special spring stocker sales with a very good quality on offer. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs averaging $19.26 lower than last week, 500-600 lbs were down $23.41, 600-700 lbs down $12.05, 700-800 lbs down $7.36, 800-900 lbs down $13.58, 900-1000 lbs down $5.43 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $0.67 stronger than last week on average. Heifers weighing 300-400 lbs averaged $9.88 lower than last week, 400-500 lbs were down $15.35, 500-600 lbs down $24.16, 600-700 lbs down $18.49, 700-800 lbs down $8.66, 800-900 lbs down $5.43 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $1.27 higher than last week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market reported for this week ranged from $330.00-$331.00 dressed, down $4.81 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade was light with the smallest volume on offer so far this year as reported by Canfax. Trade this week averaged $0.50 higher on the live trade and $0.63-$1.29 higher on the rail. Canfax reported sales for steers at $202.00 live and $333.00-$338.50 dressed. Heifers sold from $333.00-$338.50 dressed.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending April 16th was light to moderate on Friday afternoon with sales under pressure for the second consecutive week. Lives sales were reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report from $158.00-$166.00 with steers averaging $162.50 down from $164.23 the previous week while heifers averaged $161.00 down from $164.70. On the rail prices ranged from $250.00-$262.00 dressed with steers averaging $256.00 dressed, down from $261.56 the previous week while heifers averaged $257.00 dressed down from $261.15. This week some light to moderate trade developed on Wednesday and Thursday with prices being further discounted. Southern trade was reported from $157.00-$158.00 live, down around $3.00 from last week while northern sales were mostly $4.00 lower from $251.00-$253.00 dressed. A few live sales in the north were at $160.00-$160.50 live. Today a few bids have surfaced in the north at $251.00-$253.00 dressed with no sales reported. Given the upward trend of the cattle futures the last couple of days, it appears that feedlots have strengthened asking prices and are holding out for better prices. The cattle left to sell this week are now priced at $160.00 plus live and $256.00-$258.00 dressed. Remaining business could be delayed until after the Cattle On Feed Report is released at 3:00 pm this afternoon. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
