Ontario fed heifer prices saw a correction last week.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports the average price was 191.21, up 3.62 from the previous week and almost 44 dollars stronger than a year ago.
BFO says the previous week's average heifer prices were under pressure because of the volume of second cut and OTM cattle on offer.
Fed steer prices in Ontario averaged 196.88 last week - down a dollar 14 on the week, over 44 dollars stronger than a year ago.
Marketings of fed steers and heifers were up slightly on the week, down about 120 from last year.
Cull cow sale numbers were up 242 from the week before, but were still lower than a year ago - this time by 329 head.
The average cull cow price in the province last week was 121.73 - up just over 2 dollars form the week before and over 24 dollars stronger than last year.
Almost 6 thousand head of replacements were sold through auction markets last week.
That's down over 13 hundred from the previous week - about 23 hundred less than last year.
Replacement steer prices ranged from 12.88 lower to 4.79 stronger, depending on weight classification.
Ontario replacement heifer prices ranged from 13.02 lower to 9.72 higher - again, depending on weight classification.
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 May 14, 2015 There were 15 more fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 480 head, but 119 less than the same time last year. Fed steers traded from $189.40-$202.76 averaging $196.88 down $1.14 from last week and $44.45 stronger than last year at this time. Fed heifers sold from $179.19-$202.72 averaging $191.21 up $3.62 from last week and $43.91 stronger than year ago prices. Last week we noted that the heifer average price was pressured lower due to the volume of second cut and OTM cattle on offer, while this week's offering was more balanced in quality which saw a correction in prices from last week. Auction markets reported a very strong demand with prices steady to $3.00 higher, with extra fancy cattle continuing to bring those premium prices topping the market at $215.50 for steers and $216.75 for heifers.
Ontario rail grade prices were fully steady until Wednesday when $1.00 was dropped off of the bottom end of the range, with delivery dates varying up to two weeks. Steers started the week at $327.00-$330.00 dressed, down to $326.00-$330.00 by Wednesday. Heifers started out at $326.00-$329.00 dressed and finished the week at $325.00-$329.00. This week's average prices are $0.50 lower than last week but $72.00 stronger than last year at this time.
Canadian Boxed Beef Prices reported by AAFC and Canfax for May 1, 2015 were $3.115 per pound on average for AAA beef, down from $3.1451 the previous week and up from $2.4242 the same time last year. As of May 1, 2015 USDA Choice was reported at $3.0997 CDN which is lower than the Canadian equivalent. AA cuts averaged $3.0855 the week ending May 1, 2015 down from $3.1191 the previous week, but up from $2.3809 the same time last year. AA cuts averaged stronger than the USDA Select which averaged $2.9661 CDN on May 1, 2015.
Cull cow volumes sold through auction markets continue to be below last year with 1,896 head sold down 329 from last year at this time, but there were 242 more than last week. Cull cows sold from $101.70-$141.34 averaging $121.73 up $2.07 from last week and $24.22 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets reported active trading on a very strong demand with prices fully steady to stronger, up $1.00-$5.00 in spots.
5,986 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week down 1,346 head from last week and 2,378 less than last year at this time. Auction markets reported lighter weights and grass types as selling aggressively with prices steady to fully steady on good to medium quality offerings. Heavier cattle sold on a strong demand with prices fully steady to sharply higher by week's end. Actual average prices this week for steers 400-500 lbs were down $7.93 from last week, 500-600 lbs down $12.88, 600-700 lbs down $0.94, 700-800 lbs down $1.67. 800-900 lbs down $5.90, 900-1000 lbs down $2.61 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $4.79 stronger than last week's average prices. Heifers 300-400 lbs were up $9.72 from last week on average, 400-500 lbs down $13.02, 500-600 lbs down $6.94, 600-700 lbs up $4.60, 700-800 lbs down $9.97, 800-900 lbs down $1.14 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $2.58 stronger than last week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market for this week ranged from $328.00-$330.00 dressed, up $0.37 from last week on averaged.
Alberta direct trade was light with sales on Wednesday reported by Canfax as steady to last week. Thursday saw prices steady to slightly higher than Wednesday. Canfax reported steers from $335.00-$338.50 dressed, up $1.81 from last week on average.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending May 6th was light to moderate late Friday afternoon with prices around $1.00 higher. The USDA Mandatory Price Report listed steers and heifers from $158.00-$164.00 live with steers averaging $161.93 up from $160.69 the previous week while heifers averaged $161.93 up from $161.18. On the rail prices ranged from $255.00-$257.00 dressed with steers averaging $256.03 up from $254.78 the previous week, while heifers averaged $255.09 up from $254.63. At time of reporting, Friday noon, this week's market remains untested. Bids are currently sitting at $157.00-$158.00 live in the south and $257.00 dressed in the north, while asking prices are reported at $163.00-$164.00 live and $260.00-$262.00 dressed. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
