Fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 411 head, were down 179 head from the previous week but 131 head larger than the same time last year. Fed steers averaged $245.27/cwt, up $1.49/cwt from last week, and $14.10/cwt above last year. Fed heifers averaged $243.57/cwt, down $2.69/cwt from last week but $17.06/cwt higher than last year. Auction markets this week reported fed steers and heifers sold steady with quality considered. Based on the five-year average, fed prices historically strengthened from now right through to the end of the year.
In Ontario this week, dressed sales were reported at $411/cwt delivered, fully steady with the previous week. Multiple packers have bought cattle and lift times are anywhere from immediate to week of December 9th. For the week ending November 16th, Eastern Canadian processing was 0.1% above year ago levels and 2.0% below the five-year average. YTD processing is down 12%, with steers down 9% and heifers down 9%, cows down 24% and bulls down 36%. For the week ending November 9th, Eastern fed cattle and cow exports to the US were 3,974 head, 2% lower than last year but 30% above the five-year average. YTD exports are up 26% from last year.
Cull cow receipts this week were 2,440 head, down 89 head from last week and down 60 head from last year. Cows averaged $134.92/cwt, up $0.48/cwt from last week and up $16.11/cwt from last year. Beef cows averaged $141.36/cwt, down $0.15/cwt from the previous week’s trade but $15.72/cwt above year ago prices. Auction markets this week reported cows sold steady. Eastern Canadian cow slaughter volumes continue to run below a year ago. On November 20th, cull cows sold higher on the market.
Receipts of 7,031 stockers and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week, up 1,082 head from the previous week and 1,182 head more than the same week last year. Auction markets reported last week that stockers sold on a strong active trade with excellent buyer demand at stronger prices. OnNovember 19th, all classes of stockers and feeder cattle sold actively at steady prices. On November 20th, stockers and feeders sold aggressively at strong prices. Actual average prices collected this week saw steers
from 400-500 lbs trading $12.82/cwt lower than last week on average, 500-600 lbs up $3.26/cwt, 600-700 lbs up $6.33/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $7.89/cwt, 800-900 lbs were up $33.50/cwt, steers 900-1000 lbs up $13.62/cwt and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $14.69/cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were down $8.83/cwt from last week on average, 400-500 lbs down $1.29/cwt, 500-600 lbs up $19.06/cwt, 600-700 lbs up $15.44/cwt, 700-800 lbs down $2.88/cwt, 800-900 lbs up $15.09/cwt and heifers 900 lbs and over averaged $25.38/cwt weaker than the previous week’s weighted average prices.
