Several new weekly average prices were set in the Ontario cattle market last week.
Fed steers averaged 178.33, fed heifers 171.45, and Ontario rail grade prices averaged 297 dollars - all new weekly highs.
Those steer prices were up 28 cents from the previous week, over 50 dollars higher than last year.
The heifer price was up 3.16 from the previous week, over 45 dollars higher than last year.
The rail grade price average was up by more than 84 dollars.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports that provincial auction markets sold almost 7 thousand head of replacement cattle last week.
That's down about 11 hundred from the previous week, almost 400 fewer than last year at this time.
Average steer prices ranged from 4.50 lower for 6-700 hundred pounders to 14.46 higher for the 8-900 pound category.
Average heifer prices ranged from 15.05 lower for the 3-400 pounders to 1.90 higher for the 7-800 pound category.
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Weekly Cattle Comments As Supplied by Beef Farmers of Ontario Ph: Toll free: 1-866-370-2333 or (519) 824-0334 Fax: (519) 824-9161 Email: markets@ontariobeef.com Comments for the week ending December 4, 2014 Lighter receipts of fed cattle traded strong with 472 head sold through auction markets down 248 head from last week and 153 less than the same time last year. Fed steers sold from $166.98-$191.00 with a weekly weighted average price of $178.33 up $0.28 from last week and $50.44 stronger than year ago prices. Fed heifers ranged from $165.33-$178.06 averaging $171.45 up $3.16 from last week and $45.58 higher than year ago prices. Both steers and heifers set new weekly average prices. Auction markets reported strong active trading with prices from $1.00-$3.00 higher than last week.
Ontario rail grade prices took a jump the previous Friday and have held steady for the entire reporting period. Steers traded from $296.00-$298.00 dressed with heifers from $295.00-$297.00 dressed. This week's average prices are $4.75 stronger than last week and also setting a new weekly average price. Last year at this time the average price for steers was $212.50 dressed which is $84.50 lower than this week's average price.
Canadian boxed beef prices (supplied by CMC and Canfax) for the week ending November 14, 2014 for AAA cuts averaged $2.77 per lb, down from $2.79 the previous week, and compared to $2.87 /lb for USDA choice, converted to CDN dollars. AA Canadian cuts for the week ending November 14, 2014 averaged $2.70 up from $2.67 the previous week and compared to $2.71 for USDA Select cuts converted to CDN dollars. The AAA CDN cuts topped the market to date the week of November 7th at an average price of $2.79 per lb, but have traded in the $2.70 plus range since October 24th. AA CDN cuts topped the market the week of November 14th and have been on a slight upward trend since October 24th. Prices from November 14th onward have not been released.
There were 3,474 cull cows sold through auction markets this week down 82 head from last week and 999 less than last year at this time. Cull cows traded from $82.33-$121.05 with a weekly weighted average price of $102.62 up $1.16 from last week and $39.07 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets reported demand as strong and prices steady to firm. One report saw plainer types selling on an easier market.
Auction markets sold 6,970 head of replacement cattle this week, down 1,158 head from last week and 398 less than last year at this time. Demand was reported as strong with all noting steady to strong prices on good quality cattle, although some reports of medium quality cattle on offer are noted. Actual average prices this week for steers 400-500 lbs were up $7.09 from last week, 500-600 lbs down $2.60, 600-700 lbs down $4.50, 700-800 lbs down $0.28, 800-900 lbs were up $14.46, 900-1000 lbs down $4.24 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $2.03 lower than last week's average prices. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $15.05 lower, 400-500 lbs down $10.30, 500-600 lbs down $7.36, 600-700 lbs down $3.81, 700-800 lbs up $1.90, 800-900 lbs up $0.43 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $3.48 lower than last week.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week was reported at $295.00 dressed, up $1.61 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade was light on Wednesday with live sales steady to last week. Thursday, light trade was steady to $2.00 higher than Wednesday. Canfax reported prices this week for steers from $180.00-$183.75 live and $299.75 dressed.
The U.S. cash cattle trade the week ending Nov 27th was light with live prices steady from $168.00-$173.00 averaging $171.96 for steers up from $171.15 the previous week, and $172.22 for heifers up from $171.83. Dressed deals ranged from $264.00-$270.00, around $1.00 lower than last week with steers averaging $266.41 dressed down from $267.56 the previous week and heifers at $266.94 down from $267.43. This week light to moderate trade in parts of the north was around $2.00-$3.00 lower from $263.00-$265.00 dressed and $166.00 live. At time of reporting Friday noon, business in the north is steady at $264.00 dressed while the south remains untested. Bids in the south are at $168.00 live while asking prices are sitting at $172.00 live. Business should start to develop in the south early afternoon. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario
