Ontario fed cattle prices were up last week from the week before, but continued to trend lower than they were a year ago.
The average fed steer price was up over 4.40 on the week while the heifer price averaged about 2.60 higher.
That price was about 6.60 lower for steers and 7.75 for heifers from the same week in 2014.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports marketings were up 72 head from the previous week but over 330 fewer than a year ago.
Cull cow marketings were also up last week from the week before - by about 340 head - but still about 330 fewer than last year.
The average cull cow price of 89.79 was down a dollar 28 on the week and over 12.50 lower than a year ago.
BFO says auction markets reported active trading on all classes of replacement cattle last week.
Heavier cattle were 2-3 dollars higher while good local calves were reported up to 5 to 10 dollars higher.
There were about 97 hundred head of replacements sold last week - up about 25 hundred on the week and over 900 more than a year ago.
BFO points out there are sixteen special fall sales coming up this 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 October 22, 2015 Slightly larger receipts of live fed steers and heifers met a stronger demand at auctions markets with 412 head on offer, up 72 from last week but 333 less than last year at this time. Fed steers ranged from $152.45-$167.64 averaging $162.40 up $4.42 from last week and $6.57 lower than year ago prices. Fed heifers traded from $149.02-$165.46 averaging $157.40 up $2.63 from last week and $7.75 lower than last year at this time. Auction markets reported a strong active trade with prices starting out steady to slightly higher. By midweek the market was reported as $4.00-$5.00 stronger with extra fancy cattle bringing further premiums. By week's end prices were reported as $2.00 higher.
Ontario railgrade prices continued to improve as the week progressed as prices for the previous Friday were sitting at $258.00-$265.00 dressed for steers and $257.00-$264.00 for heifers. On Monday, prices improved to $260.00-$270.00 dressed for steers and $259.00-$269.00 for heifers. The week ended on Wednesday with sales from $265.00-$275.00 for steers and $264.00-$274.00 for heifers. This week's average prices were up $7.75 from last week and $11.75 lower than year ago prices.
A larger offering of cull cows saw prices decline as the week progressed. 2,535 cull cows were on offer at Ontario auction markets up 340 head from last week but 330 less than last year at this time. Cull cows ranged from $74.31-$104.18 averaging $89.79 down $1.28 from last week and $12.52 lower than the same time last year. Auction markets at the beginning of this reporting period, listed cull cow trade as fully steady to stronger, on a good demand, with prices $1.00-$4.00 higher. As the week progressed, prices declined ending the week easier to under pressure, at prices at least $3.00-$4.00 lower.
The replacement cattle market saw a good strong week of trade with 9,721 head sold through auction markets, up 2,526 head from last week and 924 more than last year at this time. This upcoming week there are sixteen special fall sales. Auction markets reported active trading on all classes with heavier cattle steady to $2.00-$3.00 higher. Lighter weights sold fully steady to higher with good local calves reported as up to $5.00-$10.00 higher. The market ended the week with prices steady on all classes. Actual average prices this week for steers 400-500 lbs averaged $10.13 stronger than last week on average, steers 500-600 lbs were up $12.48, 600-700 lbs down $4.60, 700-800 lbs up $2.57, 800-900 lbs down $1.16, 900-1000 lbs up $3.86 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $7.56 higher than last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $20.66 stronger than last week, 400-500 lbs up $1.32, 500-600 lbs down $5.28, 600-700 lbs up $4.54, 700-800 lbs up $4.97, 800-900 lbs up $3.83 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $1.91 stronger than last week's average prices.
The Quebec Electronic Market for this week was reported from $267.00-$271.25 dressed, up $7.89 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade as of Thursday saw no new trade to report. Canfax reports: "Dressed bids are ranging from 276.00-280.00 delivered, using a 60% dressing percentage dressed bids are working back in the mid 160's on a live basis. Based off of bids seen so far this week, cash to futures basis levels are weaker in comparison to the previous week."
The US cash cattle trade the week ending October 15th (as reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report) was up $7.60-$9.00 on average. Lives sales ranged from $123.00-$137.00 with steers averaging $132.95 up from $125.35 the previous week, while heifers averaged $134.60 up from $125.70. On the rail prices ranged from $200.00-$214.50 dresses with steers averaging $204.98 up from $195.92 the previous week, while heifers averaged $205.11 up from $196.48. This week the market has remained untested and continues to be quiet at time of reporting, Friday noon. Bids were reported on Thursday at $136.00 live in the south and $205.00 dressed in the north with no selling interest. Today a couple of bids are reported in the north at $208.00-$210.00 dressed and $136.00 live in the south. Asking prices are sitting at $142.00-$145.00 live in the south, while the north is undefined. Active trading is expected to be delayed until after the Cattle On Feed Report is released later this afternoon. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
