There were fewer fed cattle sold in Ontario last week.
The 366 head were down 64 on the week and 56 fewer than a year ago.
The average fed steer price of $178.80 was down about 3 dollars on the week, over 25 dollars stronger than last year.
Fed heifers averaged 174.40 - down 3.57 on the week and almost 16 dollars higher than last year.
The just over 21 hundred cull cows sold in Ontario last week were also down - by 32 head on the week, 61 head on the year.
The average price of 104.66 was up 13 cents on the week, just over 4 dollars higher on the year.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports that despite declining fed cattle prices, the prices for most replacement cattle categories held strong last week.
The over 47 hundred replacements sold in the province last week was up over 27 hundred on the previous week, just over 200 more than last year at this time.
BFO says provincial auction markets reported trade steady until Wednesday, when a good run of steers over 800 pounds sold actively at higher prices.
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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 September 17, 2015
A slightly smaller offering of fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week totalling 366 head, down 64 from last week and 56 less than the same time last year. Fed steers sold from $172.49-$184.35 averaging $178.80 live, down $2.98 from last week and $25.34 stronger than year ago prices. Fed heifers traded from $160.92-$183.86 averaging $174.40 down $3.57 from last week and $15.87 higher than last year at this time. Auction markets reported a very selective demand with trade starting out this reporting period at $2.00-$3.00 cwt lower, to $4.00-$5.00 cwt lower on Wednesday and ending the week $1.00-2.00 lower.
Continued downward pressure in the Ontario railgrade market saw this week's average prices down $5.50 from last week for steers and $5.75 lower for heifers. Steers started out the previous Friday at $302.00-$305.00 dressed, but declined to $300.00-$304.00 on Monday and down further on Wednesday ending the week at $298.00-$304.00 dressed, with delivery dates anywhere from one to three weeks out. Heifers followed the same trend with prices starting out at $301.00-$304.00 dressed and ending the reporting period at $297.00-$303.00. The railgrade market saw the spring/summer high weekly average price set the week ending June 18th at $338.25 dressed. Since that time the prices have declined $36.00 on average to this week with steers averaging $302.25. This week's prices are just $30.75 stronger than last year at this time.
The cull cow market settled down a little this week with prices holding steady on about steady receipts. There were 2,109 cull cows sold through auction markets down 32 head from last week and 61 less than last year at this time. Cows traded from $87.99-$120.61 averaging $104.66 up $0.13 from last week and $4.11 stronger than year ago prices. Auction markets reported active trading with prices holding steady with a couple of auctions noting steady to stronger sales.
Despite declining fed cattle prices, majority of weight categories of replacements held steady to strong, especially the heavier weights. 4,732 replacements came to market this week which is up 2,751 head from last week, and 209 more than last year at this time. Special fall stocker sales are starting up also, with four this week and five more scheduled for next week. Auction markets reported trade as steady until Wednesday, when a good run of steers over 800 lbs sold actively at higher prices. Thursday saw prices about steady to steady. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs up $19.52 from last week on average, steers 500-600 lbs were down $7.85, 600-700 lbs down $0.71, 700-800 lbs down $3.92, 800-900 lbs up $2.57, 900-1000 lbs up $13.26 and steers 1000 lbs and over were up $0.15. Heifers 300-400 lbs averaged $7.75 stronger than last week on average, heifers 400-500 lbs were up $7.24, 500-600 lbs down $7.33, 600-700 lbs up $1.52, 700-800 lbs down $2.00, 800-900 lbs down $0.42 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $11.47 stronger than last week.
The Quebec Electronic Market this week was reported from $294.75-$296.00 dressed, averaging $1.64 lower than last week.
Alberta direct trade reported by Canfax states: "so far this week we have seen light trade develop with live sales generally steady with last week's weighted average. Dressed bids are sounding anywhere from steady to as much as 8.00 lower than the previous week. Local packer interest in the cash market remains mixed." Last week's live price was $182.50.
The US cash cattle trade for the week ending September 10th as reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report, saw live prices average $2.57-$2.71 lower while deals on the rail averaged $2.16-$2.97 lower than the previous week. Steers and heifers sold from $134.00-$142.00 live, with steers averaging $139.18 down from $141.75 the previous week, while heifers averaged $139.82 down from $142.53. On the rail steers and heifers sold from $216.00-$225.00 dressed with steers averaging $219.12 down from $222.09 the previous week, while heifers averaged $219.91 down from $222.07. This week, the USDA Mandatory Price Report for Wednesday saw live prices average $4.00 lower than last week while dressed deals sold $5.00-$7.00 lower. Live sales ranged from $131.50-$137.00 with steers averaging $135.14 down from $139.18 while heifers averaged $135.19 down from $139.82 last week. On the rail cattle sold from $210.00-$216.00 dressed averaging $213.51 for steers, down from $219.12 last week, while heifers averaged $213.51 down from $219.91. On Thursday southern trade was reported at $136.00 live and dressed deals from $210.00-$213.00, mostly $212.00. A few bids this morning are noted at $135.00-$136.00 live, but other than a few clean up deals today, it appears that business for the week is completed.
Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
