Fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 741 head, were up 294 head from the previous week and 189 head higher than the same time last year. Fed steers averaged $267.57/cwt, down $3.92/cwt from last week but $24.97/cwt above year ago prices. Fed heifers averaged $268.23/cwt, up $0.86/cwt from last week and $26.49/cwt higher than last year. Auction markets reported on March 18th fed steers and heifers sold actively at steady prices. On Thursday, fed steers and heifers continued to sell strong at firm prices.
In Ontario, dressed sales were reported at $450/cwt delivered, steady from the previous week. For the week ending March 15th, Eastern Canadian processing was 4.3% above a year ago but 4.5% below the five-year average. YTD processing is down 2%, with steers down 4% and heifers up 7%, cows down 5% and bulls down 43%. For the week ending March 8th, Eastern fed cattle and cow exports to the US were 3,773 head, 26% above last year and 32% above the five-year average. YTD Eastern fed cattle and cow exports are up 60% from last year. Cull cow receipts sold through auction markets this week were 2,214 head, up 60 head from last week and up 204 head from last year. Cows averaged $160.68/cwt, up $0.78/cwt from last week and up $25.03/cwt from last year. Beef cow prices averaged $170.02/cwt, down $0.90/cwt from the previous week’s trade but $26.15/cwt above year ago prices. Auction markets reported this week cows sold steady to stronger. Beef cows sold higher while dairy cows sold lower.
Receipts of 5,035 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week, up 1,080 head from the previous week and 1,767 head more than the same week last year. Auction markets reported last week that stockers sold higher and very strong with a good demand. This week, feeder cattle sold actively at stronger prices. Stockers sold steady to Friday’s strong market with quality considered. Actual average prices collected this week saw steers from 400-500 lbs trading $14.46/cwt stronger than last week on average, 500-600 lbs down $24.40/cwt, 600-700 lbs down $19.22/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $15.11/cwt, 800-900 lbs were up $21.06/cwt, steers 900-1000 lbs up $11.39/cwt and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $12.10/cwt
stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were up $5.78/cwt from last week on average, 400-500 lbs up $34.29/cwt, 500-600 lbs up $25.92/cwt, 600-700 lbs up $28.26/cwt, 700-800 lbs down $3.88/cwt, 800-900 lbs up $3.30/cwt and heifers 900 lbs and over averaged $7.57/cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. For the week ending March 8th, Eastern feeder exports to the US were 203 head, 78% lower than last year and 64% below the five-year average. YTD Eastern feeder exports are down 17% from last year.
