A holiday-shortened week meant lower volumes of fed and replacement cattle at Ontario auction markets last week.
Beef Farmers of Ontario has fed cattle marketings at 220 on the week - down 313 from the previous week, 367 fewer than a year ago.
Fed steers averaged 195.65 - up 16 cents on the week and almost 44 dollars stronger on the year.
Fed heifers averaged 195.68 - up 8.71 from the previous week and over 47 dollars higher than last year.
BFO points out the previous week's fed heifer prices were pressured lower by a large volume of OTM and medium quality cattle on offer.
Last week's average rail grade prices were up 5 dollars on the week, over 70 dollars higher than last year.
Over 27 hundred replacement cattle were sold in Ontario last week.
That's down about 11 hundred from the previous week, over 13 hundred fewer than in 2014.
BFO says provincial auction markets reported calves from steady to 5 to 10 dollars higher.
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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 April 2, 2015 Due to the Good Friday holiday, this week's report runs from the previous Friday to Wednesday of this week, which has resulted in lower volumes. There were 220 fed steers and heifers were on offer this week at auction markets down 313 head from last week and 367 less than last year at this time. Fed steers sold from $189.97-$199.23 averaging $195.65 up $0.16 from last week and $43.80 stronger than last year at this time. Fed heifers traded from $182.31-$204.94 averaging $195.68 up $8.71 from last week (noting that last week heifers averaged $6.56 lower due to a larger volume of OTM and medium quality cattle), and up $47.66 from last year at this time on average. Auction markets reported a good active trade with prices firm to stronger, up to $3.00 stronger in spots, with fancy cattle bringing further premiums as top prices this week reached $215.00 for steers and $214.50 for heifers.
Ontario rail grade prices improved as the week progressed. Steers started out on a firmer note last Friday at $322.00-$323.00 dressed. By Monday, prices had increased to $324.00-$326.00 dressed ended the week on Wednesday at $328.00. Heifers followed the same pricing trend starting out at $321.00-$322.00 dressed, to $323.00-$324.00 and $327.00 by Wednesday. This week's average prices are $5.00 cwt stronger than last week and $70.75 higher than last year at this time.
There were 1,205 head sold through auction markets down 836 from last week and 1,707 less than last year at this time. Cull cows sold from $100.08-$142.25 averaging $123.72 up $2.02 from last week and $30.93 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets reported active trading with prices steady to strong, until week's end when they were slightly stronger.
There were 2,756 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week down 1,115 head from last week and 1,386 less than last year at this time. Auction markets reported calves from steady to $5.00-$10.00 higher on the good quality calves. Yearling steers were steady while yearling heifers were steady to $2.00-$3.00 higher. Actual average prices for steers 400-500 lbs were up $7.33 from last week on average, 500-600 lbs up $10.19, 600-700 lbs down $14.21, 700-800 lbs down $10.15, 800-900 lbs down $4.62, 900-1000 lbs up $7.27 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $4.32 stronger than last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $11.69 higher than last week, 400-500 lbs up $15.37, 500-600 lbs up $21.80, 600-700 lbs up $6.10, 700-800 lbs up $18.75, 800-900 lbs up $7.37 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $7.14 stronger than last week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market for this week was unavailable at time of reporting due to the holiday and early reporting date.
Alberta direct trade the week ending March 26th was light to moderate. Canfax reported sales on the live market as steady while dressed deals were up from $6.70-$9.83 on average. Steers sold from $196.00-$198.00 live and $327.00-$330.50 dressed. Heifers traded from $196.00-$197.30 live and $327.00-$327.50 dressed. At time of reporting Thursday am, Canfax reports: ``light volumes of western Canadian fed cattle traded South. US sales were fully steady with the previous week working back to the upper 190.00's/cwt. There have been rumblings local packers are bidding steady money with last week but not getting a lot of feedlot attention. Selling pressure remains limited as cash supplies remains current.``
The US cash cattle trade the week ending March 26th was light to moderate late Friday afternoon with prices averaging $2.00-$2.50 higher. The USDA Mandatory Report listed live cattle from $163.00-$167.00 with steers averaging $165.57 up from $163.55 the previous week, while heifers averaged $165.51 up from $163.73. On the rail prices ranged from $260.00-$263.00 dressed with steers averaging $262.15 up from $159.79 the previous week, while heifers averaged $262.28 up from $259.78. This week, at time of reporting the market is untested. A few starter bids have surfaced at $163.00 live in the south and $258.00 dressed in the north. Asking prices are holding firm at $167.00-$168.00 live in the south and $267.00-$268.00 dressed in the north. Although packer interest is expected to improve today, it is possible that trade will be delayed until Good Friday! Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
