Beef Farmers of Ontario reports the decline in the number of cull cows on market last week was noticeable.
There were just over 17 hundred and 50 head sold - down over 600 from the previous week and almost a thousand fewer than a year ago.
BFO says the average price was up almost 3 dollars from the previous week and over 41 dollars higher than a year ago.
No big change in the number of fed cattle sold in Ontario last week.
Fed steers averaged 190.92, heifers 185.23.
The steer price was up just over a dollar from the week before and more than 42 dollars higher than last year.
The heifers averaged just over a dollar lower on the week but over 41 dollars higher on the year.
There were just over 33 hundred replacement cattle sold through Ontario auction markets last week.
That's about 400 fewer than both the previous week and last year.
BFO says top quality cattle prices were 2 to 3 dollars stronger while all others were fully steady.
Ontario Federally Inspected slaughter volume as of February 21st was down almost 4 thousand head from the same time in 2014.
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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 March 5, 2015 This week 512 live fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets, up 19 from last week and 1 more than last year at this time. Fed steers traded from $186.64-$197.80 with a weekly weighted average price of $190.92 up $1.07 from last week and $42.19 stronger than last year at this time. Fed heifers ranged from $169.72-$192.11 averaging $185.23 down $1.02 from last week but $41.41 stronger than year ago prices. Auction markets reported active trading with prices steady to fully steady and firm.
Ontario rail grade prices traded narrowly this week with steers starting out the previous Friday at $312.00-$314.00 dressed to $314.00 by Wednesday. Heifers followed the same trend selling from $311.00-$313.00 the previous Friday and at $313.00 on Wednesday. This week's average price is $0.50 lower than last week but up $69.00 from last year at this time.
The decline in volumes of cull cows coming to market his week was noticeable, with only 1,752 head sold, down 641 from last week and 988 less than last year at this time. The lighter offering met stronger demand with cull cows trading from $107.89-$142.21 averaging $126.00 up $2.94 from last week and $41.46 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets reported a very strong demand with prices fully steady to higher. Price increases were reported from $3.00-$12.00 higher in spots, with fancier types very strong and medium quality steady. By the end of the week prices were barely steady to the week's increases.
Ontario Federally Inspected slaughter volumes as of February 21, 2015 totalled 74,252 head, of which 45,286 were fed steers, 18,860 fed heifers, 10,891 cull cows and 115 were bulls. This year's total volume is down 3,889 head from the same time in 2014.
There were 3,328 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week down 414 head from last week and 385 less than last year at this time. Auction markets reported trade as active to selective with prices steady to higher. Top quality cattle were higher, up to $2.00-$3.00 cwt stronger, while all others were fully steady. Actual average prices this week for steers 400-500 lbs were up $17.96 on average, 500-600 lbs up $12.11, 600-700 lbs down $1.72, 700-800 lbs up $4.21, 800-900 lbs up $4.39, 900-1000 lbs up $5.17 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $2.43 lower than last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs were down $13.08, 400-500 lbs down $1.13, 500-600 lbs up $14.24, 600-700 lbs up $18.45, 700-800 lbs up $2.77, 800-900 lbs up $7.30 and heifers over 900 lbs were up $1.65 on average from last week.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week was reported from $312.50-$314.25 dressed, up $0.87 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade was light this week with Canfax reporting a steady to stronger market. Steers traded from $190.00-$192.00 live and $313.75 dressed. Heifers were reported from $190.00-$193.50 live and $315.50-315.75 dressed.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending February 26th was light and did not develop until late Friday afternoon, with sales barely steady to $1.00 lower. The USDA Mandatory Price Report listed live sales from $156.00-$162.00 with steers averaging $158.44 down from $159.43 the previous week and heifers averaging $158.35 down from $159.42. On the rail steers and heifers ranged from $250.00-$255.00 dressed with a weekly weighted average price for steers at $253.56 down from $254.37 the previous week and heifers averaging $253.48 down from $254.15. At time of reporting Friday noon, the market is untested with bids sitting at $157.00-$158.00 live and $252.00-$256.00 dressed, while asking prices are at $162.00 live and $255.00-$260.00 dressed. Business is expected to develop early afternoon.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
