A holiday-shortened week saw fewer fed cattle and replacement cattle sold in Ontario last week.
The 337 fed steers and heifers sold were down 307 head on the week and 343 fewer than a year ago.
The average fed steer price of 193.86 was up almost 3 dollars on the week and over 31 dollars higher than last year.
Fed heifers averaged 189.84, down almost 5 dollars from the previous week but over 33 dollars higher than last year.
There were just over 2 thousand replacements sold in the province last week, down about 12 hundred on the week and 726 fewer than last year.
The average prices for 6 of the 7 weight categories for both fed steers and heifers were lower than the previous week.
Replacement steers ranged from 36.97 lower to 2.70 stronger while heifers ranged from 21.17 lower to 18.83 higher - depending on the weight category.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports just over 19 hundred cull cows sold in the province last week.
That's 86 head more than the previous week and 16 more than a year ago.
The average cull cow price of 118.40 was down 92 cents on the week and over 20 dollars higher than last year.
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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 July 2, 2015 Lighter receipts of fed cattle were on offer this week due to the holiday on Wednesday. There were only 337 fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week down 307 head from last week and 343 less than last year at this time. Fed steers ranged from $185.07- $202.97 with sales to $215.00, averaging $193.86 down $2.87 from last week and $31.45 stronger than year ago prices. Fed heifers traded from $180.42-$197.85 with sales to $208.00, averaging $189.84 down $4.96 from last week but $33.58 higher than last year at this time. Auction markets reported active trade with top quality cattle selling steady at premium prices with all other classes selling under pressure with prices $1.00-$2.00 easier.
Ontario rail grade price range held fully steady, with delivery dates varying throughout the week. Steers sold from $330.00-$335.00 dressed with heifers from $329.00-$334.00 dressed. This week's average prices are down $1.25 from last week and $62.50 stronger than last year at this time.
1,919 cull cows were sold through auction markets this week up 86 head from last week and 16 more than last year at this time. Cull cows traded from $100.29-$136.60 averaging $118.40 down $0.92 from last week and $20.31 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets all reported continued strong demand with prices holding steady.
There were 2,027 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week down 1,181 head from last week and 726 less than last year at this time. Auction markets reported demand as good with calves selling steady to fully steady and yearlings/heavier cattle trading steady to barely steady. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs average $2.70 stronger than last week, 500-600 lbs were down $23.70, 600-700 lbs down $9.42, 700-800 lbs down $36.97, 800-900 lbs down $13.48, 900-1000 lbs down $3.29 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $1.07 lower than last week. Heifers 300-400 lbs were down $10.17 from last week on average, 400-500 lbs down $21.17, 500-600 lbs down $7.04, 600-700 lbs up $18.83, 700-800 lbs down $1.62, 800-900 lbs down $0.97 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $3.19 lower than last week on average. The quality of cattle on offer will have a higher impact on average prices when volumes are lower.
The Quebec Electronic Market traded $0.39 lower than last week on average with sales reported from $328.50-$333.75 dressed.
Light trade developed late this week in Alberta with prices on the rail down $0.57-$2.50 from last week on average. Steers and heifers sold from $318.50-$321.00 dressed. Canfax reports: "Marketing pressure remains limited, given lower fed prices many producers seem more than willing to carry cattle into next week."
The US cash cattle trade the week ending June 26th, as reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report, saw live prices average $1.00-$1.45 lower while deals on the rail averaged $2.10-$2.25 lower. Live sales ranged from $147.00-$150.00 with steers averaging $148.79 down from $150.24 the previous week while heifers averaged $148.84 down from $150.00. Dressed sales ranged from $235.00-$240.00 with steers averaging $237.89 down from $240.14 the previous week while heifers averaged $237.62 down from $239.72. Early this week analysts were predicting a lower market, but on Wednesday, feedlots were able to push prices higher! Southern trade this week was up $2.00 with most sales at $150.00 live while business in the north was $2.00-$2.50 higher with sales mostly at $240.00 dressed. Thursday business in the north was another $2.00 higher with sales at $242.00 dressed. Business is completed and the market quiet today as the US takes a long weekend in celebration of Independence Day.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
