Beef Farmers of Ontario is blaming a heavier run of second cut cattle for pushing down fed heifer prices in the province last week.
The average fed heifer price was down 2.64 on the week while the average fed steer price was up 4.23.
The heifer price was over 43 dollars better than last year, the steer average over 45 dollars stronger.
BFO says the 465 head of fed cattle sold last week matched the week before and was 145 fewer than a year ago.
Cull cattle sales were down 244 on the week, 870 fewer than last year.
The average price of 119.66 was up a dollar 35 from the previous week, 21.76 higher than a year ago.
Replacement cattle marketings were down in Ontario last week.
About 73 hundred head were sold - about 11 hundred fewer than the previous week, just over 16 hundred fewer than a year ago.
BFO says auction markets reported good quality grass cattle sold on a good demand at steady to premium prices.
Second cut and fleshier grass types sold barely steady to under pressure.
Heavier replacements sold steady to barely steady last week with top quality trading stronger.
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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 May 6, 2015 Steady receipts of 465 fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week, but there were 145 head less than the same time last year. Fed steers sold from $189.20-$206.18 averaging $198.02 up $4.23 from last week, and $45.28 stronger than last year at this time. Heifers ranged from $172.74-$197.47 averaging $187.59 down $2.64 from last week and $43.50 stronger than year ago prices. It is important to note the heifer volume this week included a greater number of second cut cattle, which pressured the average price lower. Both steers and heifers saw top quality reach $214.50. Auction market reports for majority of the week saw prices steady on good demand with extra fancy/choice cattle bringing premiums. By the end of the week prices were reported as $2.00 higher.
Ontario rail grade prices followed the same pricing trend as the live cattle market with prices starting out easier at $328.00-$330.00 dressed the previous Friday, to $327.00-$330.00 on Monday, holding steady for the remainder of the week. Heifers started out at $327.00-$329.00 dressed to $326.00-$329.00 on Monday and also holding steady from there. This week's average prices are $2.00 lower than last week but $73.25 stronger than last year at this time.
Lighter receipts of 1,654 cull cows sold through auction markets this week down 244 head from last week and 870 less than last year at this time. Cull cows traded from $101.58-$138.36 averaging $119.66 up $1.35 from last week and $21.76 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets reported this week's trade as steady to under pressure at easier prices. Last week beef cows were reported as $5.00 cwt lower while this week they were reported as regaining last week's losses. But, by the end of this week prices were up $1.00-$2.00.
There were 7,332 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week down 1,135 head from last week and 1,605 less than last year at this time. Auction markets reported that good quality grass cattle sold on a good demand at steady to premium prices while second cut and fleshier grass types sold barely steady to under pressure. Heavier cattle were steady to barely steady with top quality trading stronger. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs average $3.16 higher than last week, 500-600 lbs were up $10.02, 600-700 lbs up $1.76, 700-800 lbs down $0.54, 800-900 lbs up $1.38, 900-1000 lbs up $1.23 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $5.13 lower than last week's average prices. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $16.31 lower than last week, 400-500 lbs down by $4.98, 500-600 lbs up $5.48, 600-700 lbs down $0.65, 700-800 lbs up $6.87, 800-900 lbs up $7.25 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $5.03 lower than last week.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week averaged $0.82 stronger than last week on average, with prices from $327.50-$330.00 dressed.
Alberta direct trade the week ending April 30th was light with dressed deals reported by Canfax as fully steady to the previous week from $334.00-$337.50. Live sales were steady to $2.00 lower with steers and heifers trading from $200.00-$202.00 live. This week, Canfax reported trade from $335.25-$336.50 dressed for steers, down $0.66 on average, while heifers sold at 201.00 live which is steady, and $335.50 dressed which is $1.00 lower. Canfax reported that this week's cash sales were all local.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending April 30th saw business in the south up $1.00-$2.00 while trade in the north was steady to $1.00 lower. The USDA Mandatory Price Report listed steers and heifers from $157.00-$163.00 live with steers averaging $160.69 up from $159.18 the previous week, while heifers averaged $161.18 up from $159.25. On the rail prices ranged from $251.00-$258.00 dressed with steers averaging $254.78 down from $255.84 the previous week, while heifers averaged $254.63 up from $254.38. On Wednesday of this week a handful of sales were reported in the north at $254.00-$255.00 dressed which is about steady with last week, but certainly not enough sold to establish a market. Today, early afternoon, a light test has surfaced in the north at prices $2.00 higher at $257.00 dressed. Bids are sitting at $158.00-$160.00 live in the south and $160.00-$162.00 live in the north. Packer interest should improve as the day progresses. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
