Ontario federally-slaughtered cattle volumes and export numbers to the U-S so far this year are both down from last year.
According to Beef Farmers of Ontario, the over 297 thousand head slaughtered federally to August 1st is down almost 33 thousand from a year ago and just over 33 thousand head from 2013.
Exports of fed cattle to the U-S through Ontario ports were almost 18 thousand head.
That's down about 6 thousand from 2014 and over 8 thousand less than 2013.
Cull cow exports to the U-S through Ontario ports totalled over 59 thousand head, down about 27 hundred from last year and just over 17 thousand fewer than in 2013.
Last week's Ontario fed cattle marketings were up 114 on the week and almost 60 more than the same week last year.
Average fed steer prices were up just over a dollar on the week and almost 20 dollars over last year.
Fed heifer prices averaged down 1.45 on the week and over 22 higher on the year.
Cull cow marketings were up 264 head from the previous week and over 470 more than last year.
The average cull cow price was down just over a dollar on the week but over 7.60 stronger than last year.
The over 3 thousand head of replacements sold in the province last week were up over a thousand from the previous week, 526 more than last year.
BFO says replacement prices were generally steady to stronger but higher on the grass cattle.
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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 August 13, 2015 Larger receipts of fed steers and heifers sold through Ontario auction markets this week totalling 546 head, up 114 from last week and 59 more than last year at this time. Fed steers traded from $182.12-$195.94 averaging $190.18 up $1.09 from last week and $19.59 stronger than last year at this time. Fed heifers sold from $183.00-$192.53 averaging $188.63 down $1.45 from last week and $22.52 higher than year ago prices. Auction markets reported trade at the beginning of this reporting period, as steady to easier on good demand. As the week progressed prices were about steady, to steady on the top quality with all others down $2.00 by week's end. Fancy steers this week brought premium prices.
Ontario rail grade prices continued to decline as the week progressed. Steers started out this reporting period from $318.00-$325.00 dressed, down to $316.00-$323.00 on Monday and $316.00-$322.00 on Wednesday, with delivery dates varying three weeks. Heifers followed the same trend with sales starting out from $317.00-$324.00 dressed, to $315.00-$322.00 on Monday and ended the week at $315.00-$321.00. This week's average prices are $3.75 lower than last week on average and $35.00 stronger than last year at this time.
Ontario Federally inspected slaughter volumes as of August 1, 2015 totalled 297,624 head which is down 32,968 head from the same time in 2014 and 33,487 less than August 1, 2013. Although weekly volumes are starting to increase, they are still slightly below last year comparing week to week. Exports of fed steers and heifers to the US through Ontario ports as of July 25, 2015 totalled 17,837 head down 6,056 head from the same time in 2014, and 8,542 less than the July 25th total in 2013. Cull cow exports to the US through Ontario ports as of July 25, 2015 totalled 59,484 head, down 2,782 from July 25, 2014 and 17,023 less than the same time in 2013.
There were 2,438 cull cows sold through auction markets this week up 264 head from last week and 474 more than last year at this time. Cull cows sold from $96.71-$129.55 averaging $113.97 down $1.39 from last week and $7.66 stronger than year ago prices. Auction markets reported trade at the beginning of this reporting period as steady to easier, with plainer types under some pressure. By mid-week we saw prices up $2.00-$3.00, then steady to strong for the remainder of the week.
Larger receipts of 3,176 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week up 1,088 head from last week and 526 more than last year at this time. Auction markets reported demand as strong with trade very active. Prices were generally reported as steady to stronger, but higher on the grass cattle, with one report of $3.00-$5.00 higher. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs up $11.89 from last week, 500-600 lbs up $7.73, 600-700 lbs down $1.20, 700-800 lbs up $11.19, 800-900 lbs down $0.68, 900-1000 lbs up $8.78 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $8.53 higher than last week. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $5.81 higher than last week, heifers 400-500 lbs were up $2.52, 500-600 lbs up $3.09, 600-700 lbs down $12.01, 700-800 lbs up $11.37, 800-900 lbs up $0.61 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $0.91 higher than week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week ranged from $315.00-$320.25 dressed, down $0.31 from last week on average. Alberta direct trade this week was reported as light with dressed deals averaging $0.90-$1.70 stronger than last week's limited trade. Canfax reported steers from $306.00-$308.50 dressed and heifers from $305.50-$308.50 dressed. Canfax noted: "Packers did pull bids in by mid-week which did discourage producers from trading cattle. In addition some producers with cash cattle up this week did not even make a call in to their buyer to get a bid." The US cash cattle trade the week ending August 6th did not develop until late Friday afternoon into early evening, with prices averaging $3.50-$4.50 stronger. The USDA Mandatory price report listed live sales ranging from $147.00-$153.00, with steers averaging $151.13 up from $147.37 the previous week, while heifers averaged $151.28 up from $147.73. On the rail steers and heifers sold from $234.00-$241.00 dressed, with steers averaging $237.60 up from $233.51 the previous week, while heifers averaged $237.57 up from $233.11. This week a handful of cattle sold on Wednesday from $237.00-$238.00 dressed, but not enough sold to establish a market trend. On Thursday, a handful of sales were reported in the north at $240.00 dressed, up $2.00 from last week, but again, not enough sold to establish a market. Today, Friday noon, the market is seeing bids in the south at $148.00 live and $234.00 dressed in the north, with no selling interest. Packer interest is expected to improve as the day progresses with active trading now being delayed until the afternoon, again this week.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
