Fed cattle marketings and prices in Ontario were up last week.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports the almost 600 head of fed cattle was up over 250 from the previous week and almost 200 more than a year ago.
The average fed steer price was up almost 5 dollars on the week and over 34 dollars higher than a year ago.
The average fed heifer price was up over 5.60 on the week and about 41 dollars higher than last year.
Ontario rail grade prices were down a dollar from the previous week but 61 dollars higher than a year ago.
Cull cow marketings were up - with almost 23 hundred head on offer - an increase of about 370 on the week and over 900 more than a year ago.
The average price was down slightly from the previous week but still over 18 dollars stronger than a year ago.
There were over 22 hundred replacement cattle on offer in Ontario last week.
That's up about 200 from the holiday-shortened week before and over 400 fewer than a year ago.
BFO says average replacement steer prices were down in 5 of the 7 categories while replacement heifer prices were down in 6 of the 7 weight categories.
Over half of last week's replacement cattle sold were in the over 900 pound categories.
=== 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 9, 2015
There were 592 fed steers and heifers sold through Ontario auction markets this week up 255 head from last week and 187 more than last year at this time. Fed steers traded from $198.40-$203.41 averaging $198.67 up $4.81 from last week and $34.25 stronger than last year at this time. Fed heifers sold from $186.27-$203.74 averaging $195.47 up $5.63 from last week and $40.98 higher than year ago prices. Last week volumes were low due to the holiday and as indicated in the price range more second cut cattle were on offer. This week auction markets started out with prices steady on the top quality, with second cut under slight pressure. As the week progressed, the market was fully steady to stronger on good demand, and by week's end prices were up to $1.00 higher. Extra fancy lots continue to bring premium prices with steers topping the market this week at $217.75 and heifers $211.50.
Ontario rail grade prices started out this reporting period with $1.00 taken off the top end of the range with steers at $330.00-$334.00 dressed and heifers $329.00-$333.00. Monday saw another $1.00 dropped off the top end with prices from $330.00-$333.00 for steers and $329.00-$332.00 dressed for heifers. The market traded steady from Monday on. This week's average prices are down $1.00 from last week but $61.00 higher than last year at this time.
A larger offering of 2,288 cull cows sold through Ontario auction markets this week up 369 head from last week and 913 more than last year at this time. Cull cows ranged from $101.97-$135.66 averaging $118.37 down $0.03 from last week but $18.22 stronger than year ago prices. Last year at this time was the first week that the cull cow average broke the $1.00 mark. Auction markets reported active trading with prices holding steady, with one report of top quality cows steady to stronger.
This time of year we typically see very light trade in the replacement cattle market, and this week is no exception. The lighter offerings can affect the average prices according to the quality on offer which is noticeable this week in the lighter weights and the 600-699 lb and 800-899 lb ranges in particular. Over one half of this week's offering was over 900 lbs. There were 2,225 replacement cattle on offer this week up just 198 head from last week (last week was lighter due to the holiday) and 402 less than last year at this time. Auction markets reported a good demand with prices steady to stronger, with grass types still bringing premiums. By the end of the week demand was selective, but prices remained steady. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs down $7.12 from last week on average, steers 500-600 lbs down $4.36, 600-700 lbs down $28.09, 700-800 lbs down $4.41, 800-900 lbs down $13.25, 900-1000 lbs up $5.45 and steers over 1000 lbs (605 head) averaged $5.72 stronger than last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs were down $63.39 (8 head) from last week on average, heifers 400-500 lbs up $9.68, 500-600 lbs down $9.14, 600-700 lbs down $24.78, 700-800 lbs down $4.34, 800-900 lbs down $8.11 and heifers over 900 lbs were down $3.88 from last week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week ranged from $335.50-$337.00 dressed averaging $4.59 stronger than last week's trade.
Alberta direct trade this week was $6.00 lower. Canfax reported that bids started out this week steady but declined as the week progressed. Trade did not develop until Thursday with steers trading from $186.50-$192.00 live and $313.00-$313.50 dressed. Heifers sold from $312.50-$313.50 dressed.
The US cash cattle trade the week ending July 2, 2015, as reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report, saw live sales up $2.50 from the previous week with prices ranging from $148.00-$154.00. Live steers averaged $151.35 up from $148.79 the previous week with heifers averaging $151.34 live up from $148.84. Dressed deals averaged $1.50-$2.50 higher with sales ranging from $235.00-$242.00 dressed with steers averaging $240.09 up from $237.89 the previous week while heifers averaged $239.26 up from $237.62. This week the market saw a light trade develop in the north on Wednesday with prices fully steady ranging from $238.00-$242.00 dressed. Thursday more light scattered trade was from $240.00-$242.00 dressed and $150.00 live. This morning we are seeing more light trade in the north at $240.00 dressed and light sales in the south at $150.0 live, steady to $1.00 lower than last week. Asking prices on the remaining cattle are at $153.00 live and $243.00-$245.00 dressed. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
