Three special spring replacement cattle sales last week helped boost the number of animals sold in the province.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports just over 72 hundred head on offer on the week - up about 35 hundred from the previous week and 13 hundred more than a year ago.
BFO says at least 7 more special spring sales are scheduled over the next couple of weeks.
Auction markets reported yearling cattle selling steady to stronger while grass weight cattle sold 5 to 10 dollars higher than the previous week.
The 722 fed steers and heifers sold in Ontario last week were up 52 from the week before, 134 more than in 2014.
The average fed steer price was just over 200 dollars, down 2.61 from the previous week, just over 49 dollars higher than last year.
Fed heifers averaged 197.53, up 2.48 on the week, almost 18 dollars higher on the year.
Ontario rail grade prices averaged 3.50 stronger than the previous week, almost 79 dollars higher than last year.
Just over 18 hundred cull cows were sold in Ontario last week - up slightly from the previous week but over 500 fewer than a year ago.
The 122.06 average price was down a dollar 80 from the previous week, over 31 dollars higher than the same week 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.comComments for the week ending April 16, 2015 Slightly larger receipts of fed steers and heifers came to market this week with 722 head on offer, up 52 from last week and 134 more than last year at this time. Fed steers traded from $194.75-$207.39 averaging $200.70 down $2.62 from last week and $49.11 stronger than year ago prices. Fed heifers sold from $188.47-$204.83 averaging $197.53 up $2.48 from last week and $17.96 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets reported continued strong demand with prices from $1.00-$3.00 higher, until midweek when prices were mostly steady. (The CDN dollar also gained 120 points that day). By week's end the market was fully steady. Top quality fancy cattle continue to bring premium prices with steers topping the market at $219.50 cwt with heifers at $217.00 cwt live.
Ontario rail grade prices continue to trend upward with steers starting out at $333.00-$335.00 dressed to $333.00-$336.00 by the end of this reporting period. Fed heifers started out at $332.00-$334.00 dressed, to $332.00-$335.00 by week's end. This week's average prices are $3.50 stronger than last week and $78.78 stronger than last year at this time.
There were 1,827 cull cows on offer at auction markets this week up 66 head from last week but 529 less than last year at this time. Cull cows traded from $102.60-$139.86 averaging $122.06 down $1.80 from last week and $31.38 stronger than year ago prices. Auction markets reported demand as good with prices from steady to easier.
Larger receipts of replacement cattle sold on a stronger market this week with 7,272 head on offer at auction markets, up 3,524 head from last week and 1,304 more than last year at this time. There were three special spring sales during this reporting period with at least 7 more to come in the next two weeks. Auction markets reported trade as active with demand for stockers strong. Yearling cattle were reported as steady to stronger while grass weight cattle sold stronger, up to $5.00-$10.00 higher than last week. Actual average prices for steers 400-500 lbs were up $9.69 from last week on average, 500-600 lbs up $22.15, 600-700 lbs up $3.42, 700-800 lbs up $19.55, 800-900 lbs up $8.32, 900-1000 lbs up $2.55 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $2.53 higher than last week on average. Heifers from 300-400 lbs averaged $10.41 higher than last week while heifers 400-500 lbs were up $18.34, 500-600 lbs up $12.67, 600-700 lbs up $0.27, 700-800 lbs up $7.78, 800-900 lbs up $8.87 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $0.24 lower than last week on average. Steers over 800 lbs and heifers over 700 lbs are averaging $60.00-$88.00 cwt higher than last year at this time while lighter weights are up $100.00-$136.00 cwt from last year, on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market reported for this week was at $335.25 dressed, up $2.58 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade this week was up $1.00-$2.25 on average. Canfax reported live steers at $201.50 and dressed steers from $334.50-$336.50. Heifers sold from $334.50-$338.50 dressed.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending April 9th did not develop until late Friday with the market $3.00-$4.00 lower. As reported by the USDA Mandatory Price report live steers sold from $162.00-$168.00 averaging $164.23 down from $167.57 the previous week, while heifers sold from $162.00-$166.00 live averaging $164.70 down from $167.63. On the rail steers sold from $250.00-$265.00 dressed averaging $261.56 down from $265.64 the previous week, while heifers sold from $258.00-$263.00 dressed, averaging $261.15 down from $265.74. At time of reporting, Friday noon, a light test has surfaced in parts of the south at $160.00-$161.00 live, down $2.00-$3.00 from last week, while sales in part of the north are at $260.00 dressed, down $1.00-$2.00 from last week's weighted average. Business is expected to pick up as the day progresses, however with today's cattle futures under pressure, stronger cash prices are not likely. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
