Ontario fed cattle prices dropped last week.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports the average fed steer price was down 37 cents on the week while the heifer price was down 4.73.
The steer average was still more than 27 dollars better than last year while the heifer price was almost 31 dollars higher.
There were 415 fed cattle sold through Ontario auction markets last week - down almost 100 from the previous week and over 300 fewer than a year ago.
Just over 23 hundred cull cows were sold in the province last week - up 125 on the week and over 400 more than a year ago.
The average price for them was down 27 cents on the week, more than 13 dollars higher on the year.
Over 22 hundred replacements were sold last week - up 73 on the week, down almost a thousand from last year.
Replacement steer prices ranged from 11.77 lower to 23.76 stronger, depending on weight category.
Heifer prices ranged from 47.51 lower for 3-4 hundred pounders to 22.34 higher for 700-800 pounders.
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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 23, 2015 The live fed cattle market was slightly easier this week on lighter receipts. There were 415 fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets down 95 head from last week and 317 less than last year at this time. Fed steers sold from $187.05-$204.90 averaging $195.40 down $0.37 from last week and $27.56 stronger than last year at this time. Fed heifers ranged from $176.42-$197.21 averaging $190.59 down $4.73 from last week and $30.94 higher than last year at this time. Majority of the auction markets this week called the market slightly lower, with one report of steady. Overall, top quality were called steady to $1.00-$2.00 lower, with second cut cattle $1.00-$2.00 lower on less demand.
Ontario rail grade prices started the week $1.00 lower on the bottom end of the range with prices varying from $328.00-$334.00 dressed for steers and $327.00-$333.00 for heifers, with a two week spread on delivery dates. By Wednesday prices had dropped to $328.00-$332.00 dressed for steers and $327.00-$331.00 for heifers. This week's average prices are $1.00 lower than last week and $52.50 stronger than last year at this time.
2,316 cull cows sold through auction markets this week up 125 head from last week and 401 more than last year at this time. Cull cows traded from $100.23-$135.31 averaging $118.19 down $0.27 from last week and $13.46 stronger than last year at this time. Since the week ending June 17th cull cows have traded between $118.00-$119.00 live cwt. Auction markets reported a good demand with active trading and prices steady to strong.
Replacement cattle volumes were basically steady this week at 2,269 head, up just 73 from last week but 973 less than this time last year. Auction markets reported trade as active with good buyer interest and prices holding steady, with one report of yearlings up $3.00-$5.00 the beginning of this reporting period. Actual average prices this week for steers 400-500 lbs were down $2.13 from last week on average, 500-600 lbs averaged $23.76 stronger, steers 600-700 lbs averaged $21.83 stronger, 700-800 lbs were up $10.39, steers 800-900 lbs were down $11.77, 900-1000 lbs down $1.50 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $2.47 higher than last week on average. Heifers 300-400 lbs were down $47.51 from last week, 400-500 lbs down $0.76, 500-600 lbs up $8.45, 600-700 lbs up $0.67, 700-800 lbs up $22.34, 800-900 lbs up $10.02 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $5.98 stronger than last week. Over the last several weeks volumes in cattle under 900 lbs have been light and average prices have bounced around considerably week to week, as quality is reflected in the pricing.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week was reported from $328.25-$329.75 dressed, down $4.37 from last week on average.
Alberta direct trade was very light on Thursday with prices reported as $2.00-$3.00 lower than last week's limited trade. Canfax reported both steers and heifers from $303.00-$306.50 dressed with no live sales this week. Canfax stated: "All reported cash sales have been purchased by local buyers. US packer inquiries were noted this week but bids were short of getting cattle bought."
The US cash cattle trade the week ending July 16, 2015, was light to moderate Friday afternoon at lower prices. The USDA Mandatory Price Report (5 area wtd avg) reported live prices down $3.00 on average while dressed deals traded $4.50-$5.00 lower. Fed steers and heifers sold from $146.00-$151.00 live with steers averaging $147.96 down from $151.00 the previous week, while heifers averaged $148.06 live down from $150.83. On the rail prices ranged from $232.00-$237.00 dressed with steers averaging $235.20 down from $240.22 the previous week, while heifers averaged $235.36 down from $239.90. At time of reporting, light to moderate trade had developed on Thursday in most feeding states with prices under more pressure. In the south prices ranged from $145.00-$147.00 live, most at $145.00, down around $3.00 from last week and about $18.00 lower than last year at this time ($163.87), while northern trade ranged from $232.00-$233.00 dressed, most at $232.00, down about $4.00 from last week. Today, a few bids have resurfaced at $144.00-$145.00 live while asking prices on the remaining cattle are $147.00-$148.00 live in the south and $236.00 plus dressed in the north. Any further business today could be delayed until after the Cattle On Feed Report is released later in the afternoon. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
