The Beef Farmers of Ontario say the receipts of stocker and feeder cattle through auction markets so far this year is up more than 650 from last year and 430 from the 2015.
Last week, 4,059 head were sold, up more than 1,100 from the week prior and 853 on the same week last year.
BFO notes the market reported trade on those animals to be active on good demand with steady prices.
Last week fed steer prices lost 49 cents as they sold for an average of $146.66.
Fed heifers dropped $2.34, to an average of $141.89.
The farmers also point out extra fancy cattle topped the market at $176.75 for steers while heifers hit $166.50.
The ten dollar price difference is credited to larger volumes of medium quality and second cut cattle.
Ontario railgrade prices have hardly moved in 2017. After a steady month and a half, the average price moved up 25 cents last week to the $249-$252 mark.
Kevin Grier of the Canadian Boxed Beef Report says big retailers are buying actively, looking for early spring featuring.
He feels beef ads will be good for March, and judging by inquiries and negotiations, that'll continue into April.
