The Ontario fed cattle market started off the new year setting new weekly average highs.
Beef Farmers of Ontario reports average steer prices hit 181.51, with heifers at 181.68.
That's over 46 dollars higher than last year for steers, almost 53 dollars higher for heifers.
Ontario rail grade prices averaged over 89 dollars stronger than a year ago.
Just over 12 hundred replacement cattle were sold in the province last week.
That's about 780 more than a year ago.
BFO says auction markets reported demand as active with calves selling steady, while yearlings were steady to fully steady.
Average steer prices ranged from 50.52 higher to 28.05 lower, depending on weight category.
Average replacement heifer prices ranged from just over 28 dollars higher to just over 27 dollars lower - again, depending on weight category. ===
Weekly Cattle Comments As Supplied by Beef Farmers of Ontario Ph: Toll free: 1-866-370-2333 or (519) 824-0334 Fax: (519) 824-9161 Email: markets@ontariobeef.com Comments for the week ending January 8, 2015 Now that the two week holiday session is over it is back to business as usual. During the two week break there were not enough fed steers and heifers sold to establish a market trend so for the live cattle section of this report I will compare to the last full week of trade which was the week ending Dec 18, 2014. There were 498 fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week with live steers trading from $168.20-$189.46 averaging $181.51 up $6.44 from the week ending Dec 18th and $46.23 stronger than last year at this time. Heifers sold from $164.80-$189.15 averaging $181.68 up $9.33 from the week ending Dec 18th and $52.96 stronger than year ago prices. The fed cattle market has started off the new year setting new weekly average highs. Auction markets reported a strong active trade with prices firm and $3.00-$4.00 higher than the pre-Christmas market.
Ontario rail grade prices continued to improve as the week progressed with steers starting out the previous Friday at $302.00-$304.00 dressed. By Monday they had improved to $304.00-$308.00 dressed and ended this week at $308.00-$310.00 dressed. Heifers followed the same pricing trend with sales starting out at $301.00-$303.00 dressed and ending the week at $307.00-$309.00. Like their live counterpart, rail prices also set a new weekly average high. This week's average prices are $5.50 stronger than last week and $89.25 stronger than last year at this time.
There were 2,926 cull cows sold through auction markets this week up 1,464 head from last week and 775 more than last year at this time. Cull cows sold from $90.31-$124.88 averaging $108.36 up $5.61 from last week and $34.09 stronger than last year at this time. The cull cow market also set a new weekly average high price this week. Auction markets reported continued strong demand with prices reported as higher, up to $2.00-$3.00 with better quality even stronger.
There were just 1,211 replacement cattle sold through auction markets this week up 956 from last week's very light market, and 779 more than there was last year at this time. Auction markets reported demand as active with calves selling steady, while yearlings were steady to fully steady. Actual average prices this week were mixed, some stronger and some much lower, but you should keep in mind that last week's volumes were very light with some categories seeing no trade at all. That said, average prices for steers 400-500 lbs were up $50.52, 500-600 lbs down $0.40, 600-700 lbs down $11.43, 700-800 lbs & 800-900 lbs no trade last week, 900-1000 lbs down $28.05 and steers over 1000 lbs averaged $9.99 lower than last week. Heifers 400-500 lbs were up $7.12 from last week, 500-600 lbs up $28.28, 600-700 lbs up $13.01, 700-800 lbs down $27.02, 800-900 lbs down $18.63 and heifers over 900 lbs averaged $11.03 stronger than last week on average.
The Quebec Electronic Market for the week ending January 9th was reported at $310.75 dressed, up $10.75 from the previous week on average.
Alberta direct trade was limited over the holidays with trade the week ending December 26th reported as light with stronger prices. Steers sold at $180.00 live and $303.00-$303.75 flat rail. The week ending January 2nd was light also with average prices reported by Canfax at $180.00 live for steers and $303.55 dressed for steers and $304.50 for heifers. This week the market was anywhere from $5.00-$14.00 higher with Canfax reporting sales from $187.20-$189.50 live for steers. Dressed deals for steers ranged from $313.75-$318.50 and $313.75-$316.75 for heifers. Canfax reported slight premiums on cattle sold to the US. Canfax also reported that this week's showlists have been cleaned up.
The US cash cattle trade has been on an upward swing for the last three consecutive weeks. For the week ending December 26th live sales were up $4.00-$5.00 while dressed deals increased by $7.00. The week ending January 2, 2015 live sales averaged around $4.00 higher while dressed deals sold $7.00-$9.00 stronger. This week the market was stronger once again with live sales averaging $3.00-$4.00 higher and rail prices up around $5.00-$6.00. Overall, live steers have gone from an average price of $158.51 the week ending Dec 18th to $169.90 this week. Dressed deals have increased from an average price of $250.17 the week ending Dec 18th to $270.63 this week, on average. Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, Beef Farmers of Ontario.
