Western Canada | Northern Man. | Western Man.
Western Canada, courtesy of the Livestock Market Association of Canada
The fall yearling run in Western Canada was in full swing this week with seasonal volumes on offer.
Markets in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan reported record prices for feeders off the grass. At those markets, orders from Ontario pushed the prices on the 750 to 930-lb. steers to new record highs. Demand for yearling heifers in the same weight ranges came mostly from Alberta feedlots. Reports seemed to indicate that the prices for confinement yearlings and cattle over 1000 lbs. had peaked and demand was less aggressive on those weights of cattle this past week. Alberta and western Saskatchewan auctions reported that most grass yearlings were staying in Alberta. Strong prices from Canadian feeders kept most feeder cattle north of the border this week. Markets report that they expect the majority of the cash yearlings will be cleaned up or at least priced over the next two weeks.
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Auction mart report for the week of April 5, 2024
Heartland Livestock saw 1,786 cattle through the auction mart this week in Virden, Man. Prices were lower in spots due…
Good prices and seasonal pasture conditions will see more calves coming to the markets near the end of September. Electronic auctions of calves have seen large volumes of calves on offer and priced with deferred delivery. Prices on these sales were very aggressive. There have been too few calf deliveries to the auctions to establish market trends this week. Good harvest conditions had producers in the fields and out of the pastures this week. Several markets reported lightweight steer calves less than 400 lbs. trading at $5.00 per pound or higher. Producers will struggle to make decisions regarding heifer retention this fall.
Heifer prices are strong but there is still a wide spread between steers and heifer prices. Western Canadian auction markets are reporting large numbers of complete herd dispersals for this fall. There will be ample opportunity to purchase quality reputation-bred cows and producers may decide to purchase bred stock rather than retain heifers this fall.
Good-quality bred heifers could be in short supply this fall. Cull cow prices remain strong with some seasonal price adjustments starting to surface in Western Canada. Ontario markets have been reporting strong demand for cows.
Most auctions across Canada will be back selling weekly next week with additional special event sales added to accommodate the big volumes expected during the fall calf run.
Northern Manitoba report, courtesy of Ste. Rose Auction Mart
There was a decent run of yearlings for this week’s cattle sale. Grass is starting to dry up in some areas up north, and the eastern side of the province. We traded 1,250 hd for the week of September 7, which consisted of 49 bulls and 155 cows. The balance was mostly yearlings at 55 per cent steers versus 45 per cent heifers, so a good mix of yearlings for our front-row buyers. Not many spring calves coming to town, as grass is holding up on the cow pastures, with a nice balance of sun and rain the odd day. Many producers are also focusing on other farming commitments before the freeze-up begins.
On the yearling steers, we are looking at another couple of cents increase, especially the steers off the grass, with 800 lb. steers $300-$348.50, 900 lb. steers topping at $332. A lot of 700-800 lbs. on offer this week and they traded to a high of $356. The yearling heifers also saw an increase in prices with 700-800 lb. heifers at $2.85–$3.22, and 700 lb. weights up to $332.50. All the lighter yearlings (both steers and heifers) traded 15-25 cents higher.
We’ve only seen a sprinkle of light spring calves, but are they selling “to the moon?” Had some light 550 lb. steers at $419 and some 400 lb. steers at $435.
The cow market remained fairly strong, with the two buyers representing out-of-province packing plants aggressively bidding on the D3 and 4 cows, But the high-yielding cows were also supported by local Manitoba plants, with some high-yielding cows at $159. Feeding-type cows and heifers seem to sell very aggressively, with prices from $180-$230. We had a large number of bulls this week, and prices were aggressive from all our packing buyers, with prices at $150-$187.
Ste Rose Auction Mart will be holding weekly cattle sales from September 21 and on. We should start to see some spring calves come to town, even if the pastures are still okay, as prices will attract them to the market. We have approximately nine high-volume buyers here every week, representing all corners of Western Canada, Ontario and Quebec, and now with the lower dollar, will likely start moving cattle to the U.S. We are not taking bookings for our weekly fall sales.
Western Manitoba report, courtesy of Heartland Livestock Services
Another record-setting week, with all classes higher than the week before. Well-sorted groups of ring cattle yet again out-sold everything else by a country mile! Lots of trucks, lots of feed, lots of demand!
About 2,000 cattle traded this week in the Virden-Brandon region, with 10 per cent butcher cattle, 10 per cent fresh calves, and 80 per cent feeders. All weight classes of steers and heifers were up $10/cwt., and 400-500 lb. animals were up $10 to $15/cwt. Cows and bulls were both up $7/cwt. Major feeder buyers were from southern Alberta (40 per cent), local (20 per cent) Eastern Canada (25 per cent) and the U.S. (15 per cent).
Demand is very strong. I think the only thing that might cause issues is trucks. If you have cattle to market, get them to town. Get wheels under them. When the truck supply tightens due to all the pre-sold cattle, it will make a difference. Give your cows and grass a break and sell earlier.
Don’t worry about Hurricane Lee. Worry about the tsunami of calves that will all come at once! Get ahead of the storm.
For more market analysis and seasonal health info, visit Calf Central.
