Fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 237 head, were down 24 head from the previous week and 217 head smaller than the same time last year. Fed steers sold from $233.23-$247.57/cwt averaging $241.03/cwt, down $3.17/cwt from the previous week’s trade but $5.91/cwt above year ago prices. Fed heifers sold from $223.83-$241.41/cwt averaging $230.02/cwt, down $5.85/cwt from last week and $4.45/cwt lower
than last year. Auction markets reported fed steers and heifers sold steady with quality considered this week.
In Ontario, very light receipts traded at steady money ($406/cwt delivered). Business has been very quiet this week. Processing rates were strong in July following the strike at Cargill, but receipts have already started to moderate. Over the past three weeks (week ending August 24th to September 7th), fed processing receipts are the smallest since 2007. For the week ending September 7th, Eastern fed cattle and cow exports to the US were 2,929 head, 19% above last year and 55% above the five-year average. YTD exports are up 35% from last year.
Cull cow receipts sold through auction markets this week were 1,433 head, down 216 head from last week and down 793 head from last year. Cows were selling from $125.09-$182.10/cwt averaging $151.77/cwt, down $2.83/cwt from last week but up $23.72/cwt from last year. Beef cow prices sold from $130.53-$193.68/cwt averaging $161.25/cwt, down $1.10/cwt from the previous week’s trade but $21.01/cwt above year ago prices.
Auction markets reported on September 17th, cows and bulls sold steady. Cull cow prices are currently facing some headwinds. The five-year average suggests a bearish tone to the non-fed market until the end of the year.
Receipts of 5,214 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week up 531 head from the previous week but 1,374 head fewer than the same week last year. Auction markets reported last week stockers sold very strong with a premium on top quality cattle. This week, good quality stocker and feeder cattle sold fully steady. Actual average prices collected this week saw steers from 400-500 lbs trading $19.15/cwt lower than last week on average, 500-600 lbs down $5.42/cwt, 600-700 lbs up $2.59/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $21.66/cwt, 800-900 lbs were down $9.18/cwt, steers 900-1000 lbs up $18.59/cwt and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $7.80/cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were down $36.00/cwt from last week on average, 400-500 lbs down $11.57/cwt, 500-600 lbs down $20.59/cwt, 600-700 lbs up $3.60/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $2.80/cwt, 800-900 lbs down $3.37/cwt and heifers 900 lbs and over averaged $3.79/cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Western Canadian pasture conditions are in better shape this year compared to last year. Western Canadian forward delivery sales are at a premium to the cash market.
