More fed and replacement cattle sold in Ontario last week - but cull cow numbers were down.
The 652 fed cattle sold was up 158 on the week, but 108 less than a year ago.
Fed steers averaged 196.73 - up 1.72 on the week - almost 35 dollars better than last year.
Fed heifers averaged 194.80 - up 3.48 on the week - just over 35 dollars higher than a year ago.
There were just over 18 hundred cull cows sold in the province last week - down almost 100 from the previous week and about 200 fewer than last year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports cull cow prices averaged 119.32 - down 47 on the week and almost 23 dollars stronger than a year ago.
Just over 32 hundred replacements were sold last week.
That's up 567 from the previous week - but 643 head fewer than last year.
BFO reports that so far this year, almost 110 thousand stockers have been sold in the province.
That's down about 53 hundred from last year and more than 9 thousand fewer than to this point in 2013.
Ontario auction markets reported replacement cattle prices declined as the week progressed, ending the week barely steady to steady.
Weekly Cattle Comments - As Supplied by Beef Farmers of Ontario Toll free: 1-866-370-2333 or Local: (519) 824-0334 Fax: (519) 824-9161 Email: markets@ontariobeef.com
Comments for the week ending June 25, 2015 This week saw a few more fed cattle sell through Ontario auction markets at 652 head, up 158 from last week, but 108 less than last year at this time. Fed steers traded from $187.24-$205.07 with a weekly weighted average price of $196.73 up $1.72 from last week and $34.95 stronger than year ago prices. Heifers ranged from $185.65-$204.34 averaging $194.80 up $3.48 from last week and $35.17 higher than last year at this time. Auction markets reported the market as under some pressure on selective demand. Most classes sold from slightly lower to $2.00 easier with one report of steady, however the extra fancy cattle were reported as selling in premium ranges.
Ontario rail grade prices saw the bottom end of the range decline as the week progressed. Steers started out this reporting period at $335.00 dressed. By Monday they had dropped to $333.00-$335.00 dressed and Wednesday to $330.00-$335.00 dressed, with varying delivery dates. Heifers followed the same pricing trend starting out at $334.00 dressed, down to $332.00-$334.00 on Monday and ended the week at $329.00-$334.00 dressed. This week's average prices are $4.50 lower than last week but $67.50 stronger than last year at this time.
1,833 cull cows sold through auction markets this week down 99 from last week and 198 less than last year at this time. Cull cows ranged from $100.84-$136.86 averaging $119.32 down $0.47 from last week and $22.99 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets reported trade as steady, with just one report of demand under some pressure.
567 more replacement cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week at 3,208 head, but 643 head less than the same time last year. As of June 25, 2015, 109,531 stockers have sold through action markets year to date, this is down 5,296 head from June 25, 2014 and 9,137 less than June 25, 2013. Auction market reports saw prices decline as the week progressed. Early in this reporting period prices were reported as higher with grass cattle up $3.00-$5.00 and heavier cattle up $2.00-$3.00. As the week progressed prices dropped to steady and ended the week barely steady to steady. Actual average prices this week for steers 400-500 lbs were down $13.00 from last week, 500-600 lbs up $6.17, 600-700 lbs up $12.31, 700-800 lbs up $27.38 (noting that this is steady to two weeks ago), 800-900 lbs up $4.17, 900-1000 lbs up $6.67 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $2.28 lower than last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs were up $33.42 from last week on average, 400-500 lbs up $5.22, 500-600 lbs down $15.42, 600-700 lbs down $5.74, 700-800 lbs down $0.43, 800-900 lbs up $3.38 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $1.99 lower than last week. 99 cow/calf pairs (herd dispersal) sold this week with strong buyer interest, as Charolais cross cows and calves sold from $3900.00-$4600.00 per pair.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week averaged $1.45 lower than last week with sales from $331.00-$332.50 dressed.
Alberta direct trade was light this week with prices under some pressure. Canfax reported: "this week light trade developed with dressed sales on average $7.00 lower than the previous week while live sales are $2.00 softer. Bids eased over the course of the week and some producers will likely carry cattle into next week. All reported cash sales were purchased by local buyers." Sales were reported at $195.00 live for steers and $318.25-$325.50 dressed for steers. No heifer sales were reported.
The US cash cattle trade for the week ending June 19th (reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report) saw prices averaging $3.25-$3.50 lower. Steers and heifers ranged from $148.00-$153.00 live with steers averaging $150.24 down from $153.48 the previous week, while heifers averaged $150.00 live down from $153.64. On the rail steers and heifers sold from $238.00-$243.00 dressed with steers averaging $240.14 down from $243.49 the previous week while heifers averaged $239.72 down from $243.24. This week light to moderate trade developed late Thursday afternoon in all feeding states. Southern trade was around $2.00 lower at $148.00 live while northern sales were down $2.00-$3.00 from $237.00-$240.00 dressed, most at $237.00-$238.00. Today bids are renewed at prices steady to yesterday, but at time of reporting no new sales are evident. Asking prices are sitting at $150.00 live and $245.00 dressed. The bulk of business appears to have been completed on Thursday with just some light clean up trade possible today.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
