More replacement cattle and fewer fed cattle on the market in Ontario last week.
Over 84 hundred replacements ended the week steady to lower with heavier feeders down 2 to 4 dollars.
That volume was up by more than three thousand from the previous week and more than 4 thousand more than last year at this time.
458 fed steers and heifers were sold in Ontario last week - down 112 from the previous week and 239 fewer than last year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports the average fed steer price of 193.79 was down just over 5 dollars on the week and 42.18 stronger than last year.
The average fed heifer price of 190.23 was down 2.58 from the previous week, 44 dollars higher than last year.
Last week's average Ontario rail grade prices were 2.75 lower than the previous week, 75.75 stronger than last year.
And the just under 19 hundred cull cows sold last week was up 56 from the previous week and 401 fewer than last year.
The average price for those cull cows was down 3.25 from the previous week, 20.37 higher than last year.
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 30, 2015 There were 458 fed steers and heifers sold through Ontario auction markets this week down 112 head from last week and 239 less than last year at this time. Fed steers traded from $187.13-$198.24 averaging $193.79 down $5.09 from last week and $42.18 stronger than year ago prices. Fed heifers sold from $187.47-$198.84 averaging $190.23 down $2.58 from last week but $44.00 higher than last year at this time. Auction markets reported trade as steady to under pressure with prices up to $2.00-$3.00 lower. Top quality, fancy cattle continued to sell at a premium.
Ontario rail grade prices continued to trend easier as the week progressed. Steers started out at $330.00-$333.00 dressed, down to $330.00-$332.00 by Monday and $328.00-$332.00 on Wednesday with a wide range of delivery dates. Heifers followed the same trend starting out at $329.00-$332.00 dressed and ending the week at $327.00-$331.00, also with a wide range of delivery. This week's average prices are $2.75 lower than last week but $75.75 stronger than last year at this time.
1,898 cull cows sold through auction markets this week up 56 from last week and 401 less than the same time last year. Cull cows ranged from $96.69-$136.87 averaging $118.31 down $3.25 from last week but $20.37 stronger than last year at this time. The market saw prices decline as the week progressed with trade early in the reporting period called steady. As the week progressed the market was under pressure with prices barely steady to lower. One report saw dairy cows barely steady while beef breeds were reported as at least $5.00 cwt lower.
The replacement cattle market also met some price resistance in most weight categories this week with 8,467 head on offer, up 3,020 head from last week and 4,032 more than last year at this time. Action markets, at the beginning of this reporting week, called the market steady to fully steady, but as the week progressed prices on lightweights were steady to lower, and heavier feeders under pressure, down $2.00-$4.00. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs average $1.16 cwt lower than last week, steers 500-600 lbs down $7.32, 600-700 lbs up $2.99, 700-800 lbs down $3.34, 800-900 lbs up $5.85, 900-1000 lbs up $0.77 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $4.26 lower than last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $4.32 higher than last week, 400-500 lbs down $4.71, 500-600 lbs down $3.24, 600-700 lbs down $4.56, 700-800 lbs down $1.02, 800-900 lbs down $3.69 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $2.97 easier than last week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week traded from $328.00-$328.25 dressed, down $2.31 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade this week was light with dressed deals reported by Canfax as fully steady to the previous week at $336.50. Canfax reported that this week's offering was cleaned up by local plants with majority of sales to be delivered the second half of May.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending April 23rd was light to moderate in volume. Overall the market averaged $2.00-$3.00 lower than the previous week. The USDA Mandatory Price Report lists live steers and heifers from $157.00-$163.00 with steers averaging $159.18 down from $161.65, while heifers averaged $159.25 live down from $161.19. On the rail prices ranged from $250.00-$260.00 dressed with steers averaging $255.84 down from $256.77 the previous week while heifers averaged $254.38 down from $256.64. At time of reporting, Friday noon, light to moderate trade is reported in the south at $160.00 live which is up $1.00-$2.00 from last week. Light trade in the north is reported as generally steady to last week at $160.00 live and $255.00 dressed. Sellers in the north are reported as holding out for higher prices at this time with asking prices at $161.00 live and $258.00-$260.00 dressed.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
