Ontario fed cattle prices were lower again last week - both on the previous week and on the same week last year.
The average fed steer price of 154.26 was down 1.45 on the week, 23.79 on the year.
Fed heifers averaged 152.12 - 46 cents lower on the week, 16.17 on the year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports there were about 100 fewer head of fed cattle sold in the province last week than the week before and about 200 fewer than a year ago.
Cull cow marketings were down about 160 head on the week and 981 fewer than last year.
The average price of 81 dollars was up 1.69 on the week but just over 20 dollars lower than a year ago.
Ontario replacement cattle volumes were lower last week - down by about 200 on the week and over 15 hundred fewer than last year.
BFO says good quality calves were steady to 3 to 5 dollars higher while yearlings and heavier cattle traded steady to 2 to 5 dollars higher on the week.
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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 December 3, 2015
There were 515 fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week down 103 head from last week and 205 less than last year at this time. Fed steers ranged from $142.56-$161.82 averaging $154.26 down $1.45 from last week and $23.79 lower than this time last year. Fed heifers sold from $144.22-$157.63 averaging $152.12 down $0.46 from last week and $16.17 below year ago prices. Auction market reports started out on selective demand with prices steady to $1.00 lower. By mid-week the demand was moderate with prices barely steady to lower and ended the week steady to $1.00 lower. All markets reported fancy cattle as bringing premiums with steers topping the market this week at $180.00 live and heifers at $187.50.
Ontario railgrade prices started the previous Friday as steady but declined on Monday and held at that price the remainder of the week. Steers started out at $260.00-$265.00 dressed but dropped to $260.00-$264.00 on Monday, and held steady. Heifers followed the same trend starting the reporting period at $259.00-$264.00 dressed and dropped to $259.00-$263.00 on Monday, and held. This week's average prices are down $0.75 from last week and $30.00 cwt lower than last year at this time, on average.
2,575 cull cows came to market this week, down 162 head from last week and 981 less than this time last year. Cull cows sold from $68.62-$93.58 averaging $81.00 up $1.69 from last week but $20.46 lower than year ago prices. Auction markets reported active trading on a strong demand, with prices anywhere from barely steady to $3.00 higher. One report noted dairy types up $2.00-$4.00 cwt with beef cows trading $4.00-$5.00 cwt higher.
Lighter receipts of 6,548 replacement cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week, down 199 head from last week and 1,580 less than one year ago. Auction markets reported calves as starting out this reporting period easier to under pressure on a selective demand. As the week progressed the good quality were steady to $3.00-$5.00 higher, with medium quality selling under pressure. Yearlings/heavier cattle started the week barely steady to easier with active trading. By mid-week prices were steady to $2.00-$5.00 higher with medium quality selling under pressure. Demand for heifers was noted at one sale as weaker than steers of same quality. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs average $21.51 lower than last week, 500-600 lbs were down $1.83, 600-700 lbs down $4.64, 700-800 lbs down $2.43, 800-900 lbs up $4.99, 900-1000 lbs up $7.73 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $4.93 higher than last week on average. Heifers from 300-400 lbs averaged $28.81 lower than last week, 400-500 lbs down $11.16, 500-600 lbs down $7.78, 600-700 lbs down $19.31, 700-800 lbs down $12.70, 800-900 lbs up $10.27 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $4.30 higher than last week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market for this week ranged from $255.25-$257.00 dressed, down $1.07 from the previous week on average.
Alberta direct trade was light this week with live sales stronger and dressed deals lower than last week. Canfax reports that steers sold at $160.00 live up $3.00 from last week, while dressed deals ranged from $257.00-$264.50 down $3.80 on average. Heifers sold from $156.00-$160.00 live and $257.00 dressed with no sales reported last week to compare to. The US cash cattle trade the week ending November 27th developed late Friday afternoon but very light with prices $1.00-$1.50 stronger on average. The USDA Mandatory Price Report lists live sales from $121.00-$127.00 with steers averaging $126.34 up from $124.83 the previous week, while heifers averaged $126.13 live up from $125.25. On the rail sales ranged from $195.00-$200.00 dressed with steers averaging $196.39 up from $194.71 the previous week, while heifers averaged $196.14 up from $194.99. This week light trade surfaced in the north on Wednesday and the south on Thursday. The USDA Mandatory Report shows business these two days from $119.00-$125.00 live in the south averaging $123.41 for steers, down $2.93 and heifers averaging $123.43 down $2.70 from last week. Dressed deals ranged from $189.00-$198.00 with steers averaging $194.44 down $1.95, while heifers averaged $194.83 dressed, down $1.31 on average. At time of reporting, Friday noon, a few sales are noted in the north at $190.00-$192.00 dressed which is lower than earlier in the week. A few sales in the south are steady at $124.00 live. Trade volumes this week are reported as light with cattle still left to sell. Asking prices have dropped to $126.00-$128.00 live in the south and $192.00 plus dressed in the north. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
