Ontario fed cattle marketings and prices were down last week.
Marketings were down 79 head on the week and 163 head from last year.
The fed steer average price was down 1.54 on the week and almost 7 dollars lower than a year ago.
The average fed heifer price was down 25 cents on the week and 5.60 on the year.
Last week's cull cow marketings were down 55 head on the week and 300 on the year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports the average cull cow price was down 1.38 on the week and almost 13 dollars on the year.
Replacement cattle sales in the province were down about 58 hundred from the previous week and just over 7 thousand fewer than a year ago.
BFO says by the end of the week good quality stockers were trading barely steady to 3 dollars lower while medium quality and fleshier and plainer types were under pressure.
Year to date cull cow and replacement marketings in the province are both lower than a year ago.
Cull cow volumes were down over 85 hundred from 2014 and over 17 thousand lower than in 2013.
BFO says replacement marketings so far this year are down about 17 thousand 5 hundred from a year ago and 23 thousand 5 hundred fewer than to the end of October in 2013. ===
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 November 5, 2015
There were 481 fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets in Ontario this week down 79 head from last week and 163 less than last year at this time. Fed steers ranged from $153.83-$170.68 averaging $164.03 down $1.54 from last week and $6.89 lower than the same time last year. Fed heifers traded from $152.75-$170.36 averaging $163.59 down $0.25 from last week and $5.60 lower than year ago prices. This reporting period started out with auctions calling the market active with prices steady to slightly higher, up $1.00-$2.00. By mid-week demand was selective with lower prices. A few extra fancy cattle were noted as about steady. At week's end the market was steady.
Ontario railgrade prices started out the previous Friday quite a bit stronger at $278.00-$280.00 dressed for steers and $277.00-$279.00 for heifers. Prices held fully steady the entire trading period with delivery dates current to two weeks out. This week's average prices are up $6.50 from the previous week, but $6.75 lower than one year ago, on average.
2,621 cull cows were on offer this week at Ontario auction markets, down 55 head from last week and 300 less than the same time last year. As of October 31, 2015 there has been 94,805 cull cows sold through auction markets, down 8,575 from October 31, 2014 (ytd), and 17,026 less than in 2013. October volumes alone totalled 10,544 down from 12,111 in October 2014 and 13,851 in October 2013. This week's market was reported as steady by the majority of auctions, with active trade. However, as the week progressed prices were called about steady with plainer types $1.00-$2.00 lower and ended the week easier. Cull cows ranged from $74.25-$109.11 with a weekly weighted average price of $89.16 down $1.38 from last week and $12.90 lower than year ago prices.
Lighter receipts of replacement/stocker cattle met an easier demand with 6,765 head sold through auction markets down 5,861 head from last week and 7,004 less than last year at this time. (noting a very high volume were sold the previous week with several special fall stocker sales included) Year to date as of October 31st there have been 198,255 replacement cattle sold through auction markets, down 17,590 from October 31, 2014 (ytd) and 23,584 less than October 31, 2013 (ytd). Auction markets reported trade at the beginning of the reporting period for lighter weight calves as steady to fully steady, with heavier weight calves steady to under pressure. Heavier cattle were steady to fully steady. As the week progressed the market declined in all areas with good quality stockers barely steady to $2.00-$3.00 lower, while medium quality and fleshier and plainer types under pressure at lower prices. Actual average prices for this week for steers 400-500 lbs were down $12.46 from last week on average, 500-600 lbs down $11.89, 600-700 lbs down $0.75, 700-800 lbs down $8.29, 800-900 lbs down $7.35, 900-1000 lbs down $4.69 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $7.31 lower than last week. Heifers 300-400 lbs were down $35.82 from last week on average, 400-500 lb heifers down $28.96, 500-600 lbs down $18.74, 600-700 lbs down $9.24, 700-800 lbs down $6.54, 800-900 lbs down $8.63 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $11.15 lower than last week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market for this week ranged from $273.75-$274.75 dressed, up $1.67 from the previous week on average.
Alberta direct trade was light with dressed deals averaging $5.00-$8.00 lower. Canfax reported this week's sales at $167.55 live for both steers and heifers. Dressed steers sold from $280.50-$283.50 while heifers ranged from $276.50-$280.50. Canfax reported that some cattle this week were purchased by US packers.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending October 29th (as reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report) saw prices steady to $1.00 higher. Lives sales ranged from $130.00-$139.00 with steers averaging $136.22 up from $135.38 the previous week, while live heifers averaged $136.27 up from $135.71. Dressed sales ranged from $206.00-$219.00 with steers averaging $209.88 up from $208.49 the previous week, while heifers averaged $209.57 down $0.02 from $209.59. This week a few bids were noted in the north on Wednesday morning at $208.00 dressed, but by noon the cattle futures had dropped the limit and all bids were pulled off the table. On Thursday light trade in the north saw sales at $130.00 live, down $6.00-$7.00, and $203.00-$206.00 dressed, with most at $205.00, which is $5.00 lower than last week on average. At time of reporting, Friday noon, bids are reported at $134.00 live in the south and $204.00-$205.00 dressed in the north. Asking prices are at $138.00 plus live in the south, and $208.00-$210.00 dressed in the north. Active trade should develop at any time. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
