Ontario fed cattle sales were up last week with mixed prices.
There were 67 more fed cattle sold than the week before and 32 more than a year ago.
The average fed steer price was up $1.60 on the week and $23.55 lower on the year.
The average fed heifer price was down $1.08 on the week and $18.86 below a year ago.
The average Ontario railgrade prices were down 25 cents from the previous week and 28 dollars lower on the year.
The average cull cow price was down about $2.80 on the week and just over $37 below a year ago.
Almost 33 hundred fed cattle were sold in Ontario last week.
That's up 83 from the previous wee, 39 fewer than last year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario says auction markets reported all weights and classes traded softer to under pressure at easier prices by the end of 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 March 3, 2016
Slightly higher receipts of fed cattle sold through auction markets this week at 544 head, up 67 from last week and 32 more than last year at this time. Fed steers sold from $151.68-$176.04 averaging $167.37 up $1.60 from last week and $23.55 lower than last year at this time. Fed heifers traded from $159.57-$171.43 averaging $166.37 down $1.08 from last week and $18.86 below year ago prices. Auction markets reported demand as selective to under pressure, with prices steady to barely steady on good quality, and barely steady to slightly lower on medium quality and second cut cattle. By Thursday the market was holding steady.
The Ontario railgrade market has continued fully steady since Tuesday February 12, 2016, at $284.00-$287.00 dressed for steers and $283.00-$286.00 for heifers, until Wednesday of this week, where the top end of the range dropped $1.00. Prices are now sitting at $284.00-$286.00 dressed for steers and $283.00-$285.00 for heifers with delivery anytime over the next two weeks. This week's average prices were down $0.25 from last week's average, and $28.00 below this time last year.
There were 2,301 cull cows sold through auction markets this week, down 353 head from last week, but 549 more than the same time last year. Cull cows ranged from $76.22-$102.04 averaging $88.85 down $2.81 from last week and $37.15 below last year at this time. Auction markets reported trade as active with prices barely steady to easier/lower, with just a couple of sales reporting steady to fully steady prices early in the week. By the end of the week the market was holding steady.
3,289 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week up 83 from last week, but 39 less that the same time last year. Auction markets reported good quality as trading steady to barely steady, while medium quality and second cut cattle were barely steady to under pressure. By the end of this reporting period all weights and classes were softer to under pressure at easier prices. Actual average prices for this week saw steers 400-500 lbs down $13.30 from last week, 500-600 lbs up $2.89, 600-700 lbs down $9.48, 700-800 lbs down $1.08, 800-900 lbs down $2.40, 900-1000 lbs down $4.20 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $2.01 below last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs were down $15.74 from last week on average (just 14 head sold), heifers 400-500 lbs were down $4.93, 500-600 lbs down $9.58, 600-700 lbs up $6.58, 700-800 lbs up $9.30, 800-900 lbs down $3.04 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $2.65 below last weeks weighted average price.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week ranged from $280.00-$283.00 dressed, down $0.57 from last week on average.
The Alberta cash cattle trade has been unable to establish a price report the last two weeks due to extremely low sale volumes. Canfax reports that "many cattle have been carried over and marketing pressure is building. Delivery times are at the end of March to the first week of April." Canfax reported sales this week for both steers and heifers at $169.65 live and $278.50-$281.50 dressed. US cash cattle trade the week ending February 25th was moderate late Friday afternoon on a stronger market. Live sales ranged from $131.00-$137.00 with steers averaging $136.02 up $2.39 from the previous week, while heifers averaged $136.27 live up $3.50. Dressed deals traded from $210.00-$216.50 with steers averaging $213.21 up $3.39 from the previous week on average, while heifers averaged $213.39 up $3.36. (as reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report). At time of reporting Friday noon, this week's market remains untested. Bids are currently sitting at $135.00 live in the south, which is down $1.00 from last week's weighted average price. Bids in the north range from $212.00-$214.00 dressed which is $1.00 lower to $1.00 higher than last week on average. Buying interest is expected to improve as the day progresses.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
