Fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 94 head, were down 798 head from the previous week and 412 head lower than the same time last year. Fed steers averaged $250.79/cwt, down $18.70/cwt from last week but $9.98/cwt above last year. Fed heifers averaged $258.79/cwt, down $11.25/cwt from last week but $21.04/cwt higher than last year. Auction markets reported on April 3rd fed steers and heifers sold at firm prices with quality considered.
In Ontario, no bids have been reported. For the week ending March 29th, Eastern Canadian processing was 23.9% above a year ago and 4.1% above the five-year average. YTD processing is steady, with steers down 2% and heifers up 8%, cows down 2% and bulls down 36%. For the week ending March 22nd, Eastern fed cattle and cow exports to the US were 4,551 head, 59% above last year and 61% above the five-year average. YTD Eastern fed cattle and cow exports are up 57% from last year.
Cull cow receipts sold through auction markets this week were 1,478 head, down 628 head from last week and down 269 head from last year. Cows averaged $160.32/cwt, down $2.28/cwt from last week but up $18.41/cwt from last year. Beef cow prices averaged $171.16/cwt, up $0.65/cwt from the previous week’s trade and $18.88/cwt above year ago prices. Auction markets reported on April 1st cows sold fully steady. A light run of cows due to adverse weather and looming tariff threats sold on a strong market on April 2nd.
Receipts of 4,086 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week, up 540 head from the previous week and 965 head more than the same week last year. Auction markets reported last week stockers sold on a higher market with excellent demand. This week, feeders sold actively at steady prices and stockers sold firm to higher on an excellent demand. Actual average prices collected this week saw steers from 400-500 lbs trading $25.96/cwt stronger than last week on average, 500-600 lbs up $20.02/cwt, 600-700 lbs up $14.73/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $10.58/cwt, 800-900 lbs were up $5.96/cwt, steers 900-1000 lbs up $2.40/cwt and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $0.68/cwt weaker than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were up $7.64/cwt from last week on average, 400-500 lbs up $49.97/cwt, 500-600 lbs up $31.51/cwt, 600-700 lbs up $21.40/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $22.82/cwt, 800-900 lbs up $26.99/cwt and heifers 900 lbs and over averaged $16.97/cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. For the week ending March 22nd, Eastern feeder exports to the US were 588 head, 32% lower than last year but 16% above the five-year average. YTD Eastern feeder exports are down 20% from last year.
