Fed cattle market volumes are starting to build back up again after the holiday season.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports 623 fed cattle sold through provincial markets last week.
That's up almost 350 from the week before and 125 more than a year ago.
The average fed steer price was up just over 10 dollars on the week, about 8.50 lower than a year ago.
The average fed heifer price was up 5.52 on the week and almost 10.50 lower on the year.
The Ontario railgrade market was up over 15 dollars on the week, down about 16 dollars from a year ago.
The just over 27 hundred cull cows sold in Ontario last week was almost double the week before but just over 200 fewer than a year ago.
The average cull cow price was down 16 cents on the week and almost 20 dollars on the year.
There were almost 14 hundred replacements sold in the province last week - up almost a thousand from the week before and 174 more than a year ago.
Prices started out 6 to 8 dollars higher but slipped back to steady to strong by the end of the 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 January 7, 2016 With the holiday season behind us we are seeing a few more cattle come to market with 623 fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets, up 347 from last week and 125 more than this time last year. Fed steers traded from $165.05-$181.92 averaging $173.04 up $10.19 from last week and just $8.47 lower than this time last year. Fed heifers sold from $162.34-$178.22 averaging $171.19 up $5.52 from last week and $10.49 below year ago prices. Auction markets reported a strong active trade with prices anywhere from $4.00-$6.00 higher, with extra fancy lots trading in premium ranges. By mid-week prices were reported as having further gains of $1.00-$2.00.
The Ontario railgrade market took another leap higher last Monday with sales reported from $288.00-$291.00 dressed and settled on Wednesday from $290.00-$291.00. Heifers followed the same pricing trend starting the week at $287.00-$290.00 dressed up to $289.00-$290.00 on Wednesday. This is up another $15.25 from the week before on average and down $16.00 from last year at this time which averaged $306.00 dressed for steers. The week ending Dec 24th steers averaged $255.25, Dec 31st the average was $274.75 and this week steers averaged $290.00 dressed, which is an increase of $34.75 over a three week period. Sales reported by producers this week are for delivery anywhere from this week to two weeks out.
Canadian boxed beef prices (supplied by Canfax & AAFC) for the week ending Dec 25, 2015 saw AAA cuts average 2.8117/lb up $0.2157 from the previous week and about steady to last year at this time when the price per pound averaged $2.8013. USDA Choice for the same week was $2.6837 CDN. AA cuts the week ending Dec 25, 2015 averaged $2.6897/lb, up $0.1593 from the week before and also about steady to the same time last year at $2.6593/lb. USDA Select cuts for the same week averaged $2.5571/lb.
There were 2,709 cull cows sold through auction markets this week up 1,311 head from last week but 217 less than the same time last year. Cull cows sold from $76.62-$102.81 averaging $88.75 down $0.16 from last week and $19.61 below last year's price. Auction market reports started this reporting period as $6.00-$8.00 cwt higher, by Tuesday prices were $2.00-$3.00 higher with one report of lower than the previous week's very high prices. As the week progressed the market was steady and firm, to barely steady.
There were 1,385 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week up 969 from last week and 174 more than last year at this time. Auction markets reports started out as $6.00-$8.00 higher, but as the week progressed prices went to $3.00-$5.00 higher, then $2.00-$3.00 higher, and ended the week as steady to strong. Actual average prices this week for steers 500-600 lbs were up $19.12 from last week on average, steers 600-700 lbs were up $9.72, 700-800 lbs up $22.17, 900-1000 lbs were up $4.75 from last week and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $2.29 stronger than last week. Heifers 500-600 lbs averaged $7.55 stronger than last week on average, 600-700 lbs up $29.12 and heifers 700-800 lbs averaged $25.13 higher than last weeks average prices. Although there were more categories of sales this week, last week there were not enough sold to generate a price to compare the averages with.
The Quebec Electronic Market for this week ranged from $290.25-$291.50 dressed, up $15.63 from the previous week on average.
Alberta direct trade the week ending Dec 30th was light at much stronger prices. Canfax reported live steers at $174.50 up $12.65 from the previous week on average, with dressed steers at $292.00 dressed up $24.25 from the previous week. Heifers sold at $292.00 dressed with no sales the previous week to compare to. At time of reporting Friday, Canfax reports this week's market market was higher with dressed deals reported from $292.00-$296.50 up $2.92 on average for steers and $4.27 stronger than last week for heifers. Canfax also comments that: "Local packer interest in the cash market remains mixed with the bulk of sales going to one buyer. Local packers are sounding short bought as cattle are being lifted in a timely matter. Tentatively cash to futures basis levels did weaken this week and remain weaker than the five year average." The US cash cattle trade the week ending Dec 31st was higher yet again. The USDA Mandatory Report for the week of Dec 31, 2015 listed live sales from $127.00-$136.00 with steers averaging $133.99 up $10.59 from the previous week, while heifers averaged $134.14 up $10.52. On the rail trade ranged from $200.00-$214.00 dressed with steers averaging $211.52 dressed, up $11.92 from the previous week, while heifers averaged $211.47 up $11.83. This week, some light trade was reported in the north with sales from $129.00-$133.00 live averaging $131.84 for steers and $132.38 for heifers down around $2.00 from last week, while dressed deals ranged from $208.00-$212.00 with steers averaging $210.02 down from $211.52 and heifers $210.42 down from $211.47. At time of reporting early Friday afternoon a few sales in the north have surfaced at $132.00 live and $210.00 dressed. Bids in the south are sitting at $133.00 live. Asking prices are holding at $138.00 live in the south. Business should develop in the south at any time.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
