Fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 171 head, were down 474 head from the previous week and 253 head lower than the same time last year. Fed steers averaged $231.01/cwt, down $36.55/cwt from last week and $8.33/cwt below year ago prices. Fed heifers averaged $233.96/cwt, down $26.80/cwt from last week and $4.92/cwt lower than last year. Auction markets reported this week that fed steers and heifer sold easier due to implemented tariffs. Light offering of fed steers and heifers sold at barely steady price for the week.
In Ontario, dressed bids and sales have been reported at $420.00/cwt delivered, $45.00/cwt lower than prices seen three weeks ago. For the week ending March 1st, Eastern Canadian processing was 3.3% above a year ago and 7.5% below the five-year average. YTD processing is down 3%, with steers down 5% and heifers up 6%, cows down 4% and bulls down 44%. For the week ending February 22nd, Eastern fed cattle and cow exports to the US were 4,469 head, 82% above last year and 55% above the five-year average. YTD Eastern fed cattle and cow exports are up 63% from last year.
Cull cow receipts sold through auction markets this week were 1,908 head, down 642 head from last week but up 116 head from last year. Cows averaged $144.43/cwt, down $13.69/cwt from last week but up $11.08/cwt from last year. Beef cow prices averaged $153.00/cwt, down $17.38/cwt from the previous week’s trade but $9.30/cwt above year ago prices. Auction markets reported this week cows also sold easier due to tariffs. Cull cows sold lower and under pressure. Receipts of 2,829 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week, down 1,683 head from the previous week and 453 head less than the same week last year. Auction markets reported last week that stockers continued to sell at firm prices on a real good demand. This week, feeder cattle sold at sharply lower prices and stockers sold easier due to the implementation of American tariffs. Actual average prices collected this week saw steers from 400-500 lbs trading $31.24/cwt weaker than last week on average, 500-600 lbs down $19.21/cwt, 600-700 lbs down $9.95/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $0.85/cwt, 800-900 lbs were down $24.57/cwt, steers 900-1000 lbs down $17.48/cwt and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $21.16/cwt weaker than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were down $11.82/cwt from last week on average, 400-500 lbs up $57.90/cwt, 500-600 lbs up $9.32/cwt, 600-700 lbs down $8.13/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $3.54/cwt, 800-900 lbs down $16.66/cwt and heifers 900 lbs and over averaged $21.61/cwt weaker than the previous week’s weighted average prices. For the week ending February 22nd, Eastern feeder exports to the US were 585 head, 47% lower than last year and 20% below the five-year average. YTD Eastern feeder exports are down 9% from last year.
