Ontario federal cattle slaughter volume is down about 18 thousand head so far this year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports the volume of live fed steer, heifer and cull cow exports to the U-S through Ontario ports was also down.
The fed steer and heifer exports were down about 43 hundred - cull cow exports down almost 5 thousand from last year.
Looking at last week's provincial sales, fed steer and heifer numbers were down almost 200 from both the previous week and last year.
Average fed steer prices were down 60 cents on the week, over 33 dollars better than last year.
Average fed heifer prices were down 2.51 on the week and over 35 dollars higher than a year ago.
Cull cow marketings were down over 250 on the week, about 50 lower than last year.
The average price was down 1.68 on the week and over 22 dollars higher than a year ago.
Replacement cattle sales in the province were down over 800 head on the week and more than a thousand fewer than a year ago.
Average steer prices were down from 9.59 to 78 cents on the week, depending on weight category.
The spread for average heifer prices ranged from 18.84 lower to 27.38 higher on the week - again, depending on weight category. ===
Weekly Cattle Comments - As Supplied by Beef Farmers of Ontario Toll free: 1-866-370-2333 or Local: (519) 824-0334 Fax: (519) 824-9161 Email: markets@ontariobeef.com
Comments for the week ending June 18, 2015 Lighter receipts of fed steers and heifers were on offer this week at Ontario auction markets at 494 head, down 196 from last week and 194 less than last year at this time. Live fed steers ranged from $186.19-$202.13 averaging $195.01 down $0.60 from last week on average and $33.59 stronger than last year at this time. Fed heifers sold from $184.95-$196.35 averaging $191.32 down $2.51 from last week and $35.19 higher than year ago prices. Auction markets reported demand as good to moderate with prices on the top quality cattle as steady to $1.00-$2.00 lower by the end of the week. Second cut cattle were under pressure with prices $1.00-$2.00 lower.
Ontario rail grade prices this week were mixed. Steers started out the previous Friday at $337.00-$339.00 dressed, to $338.00-$340.00 on Monday and $335.00-$340.00 dressed by Wednesday. Heifers followed the same trend starting out at $336.00-$338.00 and ending the week at $334.00-$339.00 dressed. On Friday and Monday of this reporting period, not all packers were bidding, but by Wednesday, all were back in the game. This week's average prices are $0.75 stronger than last week and $75.25 stronger than last year at this time.
Ontario Federal slaughter as of June 6, 2015 totalled 227,299 head, down 18,089 head from the same time in 2014 and 10,928 less than June 6, 2013. Tight supplies are expected to continue to be reflected in lower slaughter volumes in the near future. That said, live fed steer and heifer exports to the US through Ontario ports are also down. As of May 30, 2015 fed steer and heifer exports total 15,632 head, down 4,352 from the same time in 2014 and 4,528 less than May 30, 2013. Cull cow exports as of May 30, 2015 total 46,102 head, down 4,805 from the same time in 2014, and 16,058 less than May 30, 2013 (ytd).
There were 1,932 cull cows sold through auction markets this week, down 254 from last week and 51 less than last year at this time. Cull cows traded from $101.17-$139.02 with a weekly weighted average price of $119.79 down $1.68 from last week and $22.86 stronger than year ago prices. Auction markets reported trade as steady to barely steady early week. As the week progressed the market was barely steady to under pressure with prices at least $2.00-$3.00 lower. Plainer types were reported as under pressure.
2,641 replacement cattle were on offer at Ontario auction markets this week with over 50% of those sold weighing over 800 lbs and 700 head were steers over 1000 lbs. As seasonally expected, volumes are declining with this week, down 872 head from last week and 1,056 less than last year at this time. Auction markets reported this week's trade as steady to strong, with demand solid. The light receipts of grass cattle brought premium prices on good quality. It should be kept in mind when looking at the actual average prices that light volumes in cattle under 800 lbs can be influenced either way by quality. Actual average prices for this week saw steers 400-500 lbs down $0.78 from last week, 500-600 lbs down $1.52, 600-700 lbs down $6.53, 700-800 lbs down $$8.14, 800-900 lbs down $9.59, 900-1000 lbs down $2.93 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $1.31 lower than last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs were down $18.84 from last week on average, 400-500 lbs up $10.87, 500-600 lbs up $27.38, 600-700 lbs up $1.70, 700-800 lbs down $7.47, 800-900 lbs up $0.98 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $3.58 lower than last week.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week traded from $332.00-$334.50 dressed down $4.74 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade this week got started on Wednesday with live sales down $3.00 and dressed deals down $4.00-$6.00. On Thursday prices declined further with Canfax reporting bids and sales up to $10.00-$15.00 cwt lower than last week. Canfax reported this week's sales for steers from $197.00-$197.50 live, down $3.65 from last week with rail prices down $5.35 on average from $327.50-$336.50. Heifers sold from $328.50-$336.50 dressed, down $5.27 from last week on average. The US cash cattle trade for the week ending June 18th was moderate with the market under some pressure. The live cattle sold $2.00 lower on average with sales from $152.00-$156.00 with steers averaging $153.48 down from $155.59 the previous week, while heifers averaged $153.64 down from $155.44. On the rail steers and heifers ranged from $242.00-$247.00 dressed with steers averaging $243.49 down from $245.53 the previous week while heifers averaged $243.24 down from $245.49. At time of reporting, some light trade has surfaced with live prices in the south down around $3.50 from last week's weighted average price at $150.00 live. Trade in the north is from $238.00-$241.00 with majority so far at $240.00 dressed, down around $3.00-$4.00 from last week. Business is expected to continue throughout the afternoon, with asking prices sitting at $153.00 plus live in the south and $245.00 plus dressed in the north.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
