Fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 779 head, were up 186 head from the previous week and 373 head larger than the same time last year. Fed steers sold from $232.53-$254.61/cwt averaging $244.37, up $5.01 cwt from the previous week’s trade and $11.39 above year ago prices. Fed heifers sold from $234.89-$252.78 averaging $244.69 cwt, up $6.25 from last week and $12.19 higher than last year. Auction markets reported fed steers and heifers sold on a steady market with good buyer demand on Tuesday July 16th. On July 18th, fed steers and heifers sold on a stronger trade. In Ontario, dressed sales have been reported at $415/cwt delivered, fully steady with last week. Cattle are being booked anywhere from next week delivery to the week of July 29th delivery. Ontario steer carcass weights dropped to 982 lbs for the week ending July 13th, down 39 lbs from the peak in June, but still 41 lbs heavier than last year. Ontario processing numbers for week ending July 13th were 10,090 head, which is steady with the weekly average from last July. The increase primarily came from fed cattle with Eastern processing numbers 5% larger than the same week last year.
Cull cow receipts sold through auction markets this week were 1,705 head, down 83 head from last week and down 227 head from last year. Cows were selling from $130.35-$184.18/cwt averaging $153.98/cwt, up $0.36/cwt from last week and up $31.05 from last year. Auction markets reported cows sold active at steady prices on Monday July 15th, and sold on an active trade $2.00-$3.00 higher on Tuesday. On July 17th, cows sold $4.00-$6.00 stronger. Beef cow prices sold from $142.33-$188.84/cwt averaging $168.22, up $4.82 cwt from the previous week’s trade and $30.29 above year ago prices. Over the last four weeks, beef cow prices have remained over $160/cwt, while dairy cow prices have been near $147/cwt.
Stable receipts of 2,430 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week up 795 head from the previous week but 16 head fewer than the same week last year. Auction markets reported last week, stockers sold actively at higher prices and traded with excellent buyer demand on a stronger market. On Wednesday July 17th, feeder cattle sold actively at higher prices. Stockers sold actively at steady prices on July 18th. Actual average prices collected this week saw steers from 400-500 lbs trading $15.15 cwt higher than last week on average, 500-600 lbs up $17.04, 600-700 lbs up $13.46, 700-800 lbs up $10.25, 800-900 lbs were up $19.83, steers 900-1000 lbs up $15.56 and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $5.72 cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were up $35.77 cwt from last week on average, 400-500 lbs up $22.08, 500-600 lbs up $5.07, 600-700 lbs up $8.40 700-800 lbs up $25.41, 800-900 lbs up $15.68 and heifers 900 lbs and over averaged $11.57 cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Feeder prices appear to be supported as feedlots get pen space available, now that Guelph is running again. In addition, Ontario corn prices have dropped $23/tonne in the last four weeks.
