Fed cattle sales volumes were higher while average prices were mixed in Ontario last week.
The average fed steer price was down 85 cents while the fed heifer price was up 2.45 from the previous week.
Steers were almost 46 dollars below last year, heifers 42 dollars lower.
Cull cow marketings were also higher last week, with the average price up 2.34 on the week but still over 34 dollars lower than the same week last year.
And Beef Farmers of Ontario reports a lighter offering of stockers and feeders last week.
The replacement market was fully steady to steady.
BFO says there have been just over 52 thousand cull cows sold in the province so far this year, up about 6 thousand from a year ago but 4 thousand fewer than in 2014.
Replacement cattle sales so far this year are just under 98 thousand head - down about 23 hundred from a year ago and over 53 hundred lower than in 2014.
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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 June 2, 2016 Larger receipts of 710 fed steers and heifers sold through Ontario auction markets this week, up 278 from last week and 69 more than this time last year. Fed steers sold from $147.69-$165.39 averaging $157.42 down $0.85 from last week, and $45.84 cwt below prices last year at this time. Fed heifers ranged from $145.63-$168.36 averaging $159.12 up $2.45 from last week and $42.00 below year ago prices. For most of this reporting period the market was reported as active with prices steady and strong, but by week's end prices were up $2.00-$5.00 cwt. The first week of January 2016 live steers averaged 1,625 lbs, this week the average weight was 1,578 lbs.
The Ontario railgrade market continued to see a slight improvement in pricing with steers starting out higher, from $263.00-$264.00 dressed, and ended this reporting period at $263.00-$265.00 dressed. Heifers started out stronger from $262.00-$263.00 and held fully steady for the duration. This week's average prices are up $4.25 for steers and $4.00 for heifers on average from last week, but $73.75 and $74.00 lower than last year respectively. Ontario carcass weights for the week ending January 16, 2016 averaged 996 lbs, while the week ending May 28, 2016 weights have declined to 950 lbs.
2,232 cull cows came to market this week up 185 head from last week and 335 more than last year at this time. As of May 31, 2016 there have been 52,179 cull cows sold through auction markets, up 6,042 from May 31, 2015, but 4,061 less that May 31, 2014. Cull cows ranged from $74.54-$104.85 averaging $89.24 up $2.34 from last week but $34.57 below last year at this time. Auction markets reported trade as active on good demand with prices holding steady to strong, with one report of prices up to $8.00 cwt stronger.
Lighter volumes of stocker and feeder cattle came to market this week, down 157 head from last week and 420 more that this time last year. As of this week there have been 97,797 head of replacements sold through auction markets, down 2,372 from last year at this time and 5,319 less than this time in 2014. Auction markets reported a strong active trade with prices starting out strong, up $5.00-$15.00 cwt on the lighter grass types and $2.00-$10.00 higher on the heavier cattle. As the week progressed the market was fully steady to steady to the week's trend. Actual average prices for this week saw steers 400-500 lbs averaging $11.98 higher than last week, steers 500-600 lbs up $0.37, 600-700 lbs down $14.01, 700-800 lbs down $3.53, 800-900 lbs down $2.75, 900-1000 lbs down $2.00, with steers 1000 lbs plus down $0.20 from last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs were up $14.59, 400-500 lbs down $5.97, 500-600 lbs up $2.33, 600-700 lbs down $5.89, 700-800 lbs down $3.71, 800-900 lbs down $2.44 and heifers 900 lbs and over were up $3.15 from last week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week was reported from $264.00-$265.25 on a dressed basis, up $1.06 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade, for the week ending May 26th, was light to moderate with prices under pressure. Canfax reported dressed steers from $262.50-$268.50 down $2.94 from the previous week on average. Heifers sold at $158.50 live, down $5.76 from the previous week, while dressed deals ranged from $262.50-$268.50 down $3.92 on average. This week trade was moderate to active with Canfax reporting steers trading from $159.70-$161.75 live and $265.50-$270.50 dressed, up $1.26 from last week on average. Heifers sold from $265.50-$268.50 on a dressed basis, down $1.60. The U.S. cash cattle trade for the week ending May 26th, was light to scattered early in the week at lower prices, but as the week progressed prices improved, with some dressed deals on Friday steady to the previous week. The USDA Mandatory Price Report for the entire week lists live sales from $122.00-$127.00 with steers averaging $124.99 down $5.76 from the previous week on average, with heifers averaging $124.93 down $5.39. On the rail prices ranged from $195.00-$205.00 dressed, with steers averaging $198.28 down $5.79 from last week and heifers $199.26 down $4.99. Friday's prices were in the top of the ranges. At time of reporting, Friday, this week's market remains untested. Bids are steady to $1.00 lower than last week's weighted average in the south, and steady to $2.00 higher than last week on average in the north, but steady to last Friday's trade. Bids are reported at $123.00-$124.00 live in the south and $200.00-$202.00 dressed in the north, but sellers are not showing any interest. Asking prices are reported to be firm at $130.00 plus live in the south and $210.00 plus dressed in the north. Trade could be delayed until later this afternoon. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
