Fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 277 head, were down 44 head from the previous week and down 6 head from the same time last year. Fed steers sold from $236.22-$252.47/cwt averaging $245.58/cwt, down $3.11/cwt from the previous week’s trade but $12.81/cwt above year ago prices. Fed heifers sold from $215.73-$244.76/cwt averaging $230.63/cwt, down $8.29/cwt from last week but $0.92/cwt above last year. Auction markets Tuesday reported fed steers and heifers sold on a steady market with quality considered. On August 21st, fed cattle traded about $5 cwt off last week’s good trade.
In Ontario, very light receipts of cattle have traded at $425/cwt delivered, steady with last week. For week ending August 10th, exports of fed cattle and cows to the US from eastern ports were 3,216 head, up from the 2,953 head exported the previous week, and year-ago levels of 2,574 head.
Cull cow receipts sold through auction markets this week were 1,373 head, down 33 head from last week and down 500 head from last year. Cows were selling from $130.61-$193.52/cwt averaging $162.19/cwt, down $2.79/cwt from last week but up $32.28/cwt from last year. Auction markets reported on Monday August 19th, cows sold actively at steady prices. On August 21st, cull cows continue to sell strong. Beef cow prices sold from $143.40-$206.19/cwt averaging $179.86/cwt, down $6.35/cwt from the previous week’s trade but $30.79/cwt above year ago prices.
Receipts of 2,772 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week, down 789 head from the previous week and 32 head less than the same week last year. Auction markets last week reported stockers continued to trade higher. On Wednesday August 21st, feeder cattle sold under pressure at lower pricing and stockers sold on a steady market with quality considered. Actual average prices collected this week saw steers from 400-500 lbs trading $4.08/cwt more than last week on average, 500-600 lbs down $13.35/cwt, 600-700 lbs down $27.17/cwt, 700-800 lbs down $6.40/cwt, 800-900 lbs were down $15.12/cwt, steers 900-1000 lbs down $16.36/cwt and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $15.84/cwt weaker than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were down $49.76/cwt from last week on average, 400-500 lbs up $2.57/cwt, 500-600 lbs down $6.32/cwt, 600-700 lbs down $5.53/cwt, 700-800 lbs down $11.83/cwt, 800-900 lbs down $3.64/cwt and heifers 900 lbs and over averaged $5.86/cwt weaker than the previous week’s weighted average prices.
The Quebec electronic market this week sold at $415.00/cwt dressed on a picked-up basis, which is down $3.00/cwt from the previous week’s trade on average.
Alberta fed trade last week saw light trade developed with weighted average steer and heifer prices closing the week $1.50-3.50/cwt lower. Dressed sales were reported from $418-420/cwt delivered. On a cash-to-cash basis, Alberta fed prices were at a $7/cwt discount against the Nebraska market while Alberta cow prices were at a $1/cwt premium against the US market. This week, asking prices have been reported in the low to mid $420/cwt delivered. On Wednesday, sales saw light to moderate trade develop with dressed sales ranging from $415-418/cwt delivered, steady $1/cwt lower than the previous week. Through the Federal Labour Minister’s action of enacting Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the rail labour dispute will move to final binding arbitration through the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.
