Fed cattle and cull cow marketings were up last week in Ontario while replacement numbers were down.
The 432 fed cattle sold was up 19 on the week but 94 fewer than a year ago.
The average fed steer price was down just over 6 dollars on the week, almost 15 dollars stronger than a year ago.
Fed heifers averaged about 50 cents lower on the week but still over 20 dollars stronger on the year.
There were almost 22 hundred cull cows sold last week, up over 180 from the previous week and 100 more than a year ago.
The average price was down over 60 cents on the week but just over 10 dollars stronger than last year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports just under 21 hundred replacement cattle were sold in the province last week.
That's down over 500 on the week and almost 300 fewer than a year ago.
Provincial auction markets reported prices steady to 2 to 3 dollars higher with a couple of reports of prices as much as 5 dollars per hundredweight higher than the previous week. ===
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 August 6, 2015 There were 432 fed steers and heifers sold through Ontario auction market this week, up 19 head from last week but 94 less than last year at this time. Fed steers sold from $174.69-$197.87 averaging $189.09 down $6.31 from last week and $14.60 stronger than last year at this time. Fed heifers ranged from $180.80-$196.97 averaging $190.08 down $0.51 from last week and $20.44 higher than year ago prices. Auction markets started this reporting period with prices down $2.00-$3.00. As the week progressed prices went from easier to slightly easier, and by the end of this reporting period the market was active with prices gaining back some of last week's losses and holding steady. Extra fancy cattle were steady to strong.
Ontario rail grade prices continued to decline again this week. Steers started out at $323.00-$330.00 dressed, down to $318.00-$328.00 on Tuesday and $318.00-$326.00 on Wednesday. Heifers followed the same pricing trend starting the week at $322.00-$329.00 dressed and ending the week from $317.00-$325.00. Cattle sold this week have a three week delivery time variation. This week's average prices were down $3.75 from last week, but $43.00 stronger than last year at this time.
There were 2,174 cull cows sold through auction markets this week up 184 head from last week and 100 more than last year at this time. Cull cows sold from $98.52-$131.41 averaging $115.36 down $0.64 from last week and $10.06 stronger than year ago prices. Auction markets reported trade as active on good demand with prices steady to strong. By week's end prices were barely steady.
2,088 replacement cattle were on offer at Ontario auction markets this week down 546 head from last week and 277 less than last year at this time. Auction markets reported strong active trading with prices steady to $2.00-$3.00 higher, with two reports of prices up $5.00 cwt. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs down $8.45 from last week, 500-600 lbs up $9.40, 600-700 lbs up $15.72, 700-800 lbs up $20.61, 800-900 lbs down $8.61, 900-1000 lbs down $0.40 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $0.10 higher than last week. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $2.79 lower than last week, heifers 400-500 lbs were up $6.08, 500-600 lbs up $0.02, 600-700 lbs up $17.63, 700-800 lbs up $0.02, 800-900 lbs up $3.69 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $1.08 stronger than week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market was under pressure this week with prices another $7.04 lower than last week on average. Sales ranged from $315.00-$317.00 dressed.
Alberta direct trade was too light this week to establish a price report. Canfax reported: "Thursday saw a handful of cash trade with prices around $1.00-$2.00 higher than the previous week at $309.00 delivered."
The US cash cattle trade the week ending July 31st was light at stronger prices. Business on a live basis was up $2.00-$3.00 from the previous week with sales from $146.00-$148.00. Dressed deals were steady to $3.00 higher with trade reported from $232.00-$234.00 dressed. This week the market is untested at time of reporting, early Friday afternoon. No bids are on the table so far today but packer interest should be showing up some time soon. Asking prices are reported as firm at $151.00-$152.00 live in the south and $240.00 plus dressed in the north. On Thursday a few bids in the north were steady to last week, however sellers showed no interest. Business should get going later on this afternoon.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
