Fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 522 head, were up 77 head from the previous week and 428 head larger than the same time last year. Fed steers averaged $253.52/cwt, up $4.36/cwt from the previous week’s trade and $33.99/cwt above year ago prices. Fed heifers averaged $253.91/cwt, up $0.06/cwt from last week and $27.68/cwt higher than last year. This week, auction markets reported fed steers and heifers sold actively at prices $3.00-$5.00 higher.
In Ontario, dressed sales have been reported from $428-430/cwt delivered, $5-8/cwt higher than the previous week. Cattle were being scheduled for the week of December 23rd delivery. For the week ending December 14th, Eastern Canadian processing was 5.9% below the year ago and 0.3% above the five-year average. YTD processing is down 11%, with steers down 9% and heifers down 5%, cows down 24% and bulls down 38%. For the week ending December 7th, Eastern fed cattle and cow exports to the US were 4,190 head, 34% higher than last year and 44% above the five-year average. YTD exports are up 24% from last year.
Cull cow receipts sold through auction markets this week were 2,925 head, up 115 head from last week and up 776 head from last year. Cows averaged $134.46/cwt down $0.29/cwt from last week but up $30.69/cwt from last year. Beef cows averaged $142.45/cwt, up $2.38/cwt from the previous week’s trade and $28.31/cwt above year ago prices. Auction markets reported this week cull cows sold steady to stronger.
Receipts of 4,605 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week down 670 head from the previous week but 1,477 head more than the same week last year. The feeder market saw declines from last week. Steer prices were down $5/cwt on average compared to last week with heifers down $9/cwt. Auction markets reported last week feeders sold actively at steady prices. This week, all classes of stocker and feeder cattle sold steady. On December 19th, feeders continue to sell higher at excellent demand. Actual average prices collected this week saw steers from 400-500 lbs trading $7.28/cwt lower than last week on average, 500-600 lbs up $0.28/cwt, 600-700 lbs down $8.59/cwt, 700-800 lbs down $18.87/cwt, 800-900 lbs were up $4.18/cwt, steers 900-1000 lbs down $12.12/cwt and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $3.68/cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were down $20.78/cwt from last week on average, 400-500 lbs down $3.63/cwt, 500-600 lbs down $5.44/cwt, 600-700 lbs down $29.01/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $4.89/cwt, 800-900 lbs down $10.07/cwt and heifers 900 lbs and over averaged $0.91/cwt weaker than the previous week’s weighted average prices. For the week ending December 7th, Eastern Canadian feeder exports to the US were 1,027 head, 18% higher than last year and 48% above the five-year average. YTD feeder exports are up 9% from last year.
