Southern Alberta, courtesy of Perlich Bros.
This week 3,424 calves sold on a steady market. Light run of mixed yearlings. Mostly preg checked open heifers. Steer and heifer prices:
- 300-400 lbs – Steers $350-$480
- 400 – 500 lbs – Steers $325-$475
- 500 – 600 lbs- Steers $325-$395
- 600 – 700 lbs- Steers $258-$374
- 700 – 800 lbs- Steers $315-$359.25
- 300 – 400 lbs – Heifers $300-$400
- 400 – 500 lbs- Heifers $290-$410
- 500 – 600 lbs- Heifers $290-$350
- 600 – 700 lbs- Heifers $317-$325
- 700 – 800 lbs- Heifers $250-$2750
- 800 – 900 lbs – Heifers $225-$268
- 1000 – 1100 lbs – Heifers $185-$269
Big run of slaughter cows this week. Selling for $3.00 to $5.00 lower. Light run of bred cows for the first sale. Selling to a strong demand. Prices as follows:
- D1 – D2 Cows $115-$125
- D3 – D4 Cows $100-$115
- Feeder Cows $120-$135
- Heiferettes $180-$230
- Bulls 1901+ $122-$150
- Holstein Cows $95-$110
- Bred Heifers $2900-$3700
- Bred Cows – Good Quality $3200-$3800
- Bred Cows – Med. Quality $2200-$2600
- Bred Cows – Mature Pairs $1700-$2200
Southern Saskatchewan, courtesy of Whitewood Livestock
Whitewood Livestock saw 3,397 cattle this week, with most (91 per cent) being fresh calves, eight per cent butcher cattle and one per cent feeders.
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Cattle Market Summary
Break-evens, cow and calf prices, plus market summaries courtesy of Canfax and Beef Farmers of Ontario. Cost of Production May…
Steer prices came in as follows:
- 400-500 lbs. ranging from $410-464
- 500-600 lbs. ranging from $377-$432
- 600-700 lbs. ranging from $340-$395
- 700-800 lbs. ranging from $320-$350
Heifer prices were as follows:
- 400-500 lbs. ranging from $330-$388
- 500-600 lbs. ranging from $310-$362
- 600-700 lbs. ranging from $300-$329
Bulls came in at $160-$174 and cows $128-$155.
The market is a little softer as futures have been going down all week. Next week the market is likely to show some pressure as futures have dropped.
Southern Manitoba, courtesy of Killarney Auction Mart
This week we had 1,347 head through the ring at Killarney Auction Mart. Five per cent were cows and bulls and 95 per cent calves.
Highlights this week were 638 lbs. steers topping the market at $374.25.
Heifers remain a long way behind steers and the price slide has tightened up. Overall, the market has stayed remarkably steady over the course of fall run. That appears to be in some jeopardy now as the futures market has become volatile over the last week with large swings.
Look for buyers to get a little more cautious as large numbers of feeders continue to hit the market and futures remain on the unpredictable side.
On the bright side for the cattleman, corn has been under pressure as well, which should help cheapen feed rations.
Never a dull moment in the cattle industry.
Western Manitoba, courtesy of Heartland Livestock Services
Virden saw 3,100 cattle through the auction mart this week. Fresh calves comprised 85 per cent of the cattle, followed by butcher cattle (10 per cent) and feeders (five per cent).
Cows were up five dollars, and bulls steady. Steer prices as follows:
- 400-500 lbs. ranging from $440-$483 (up $5)
- 500-600 lbs. ranging from $350-$420 (up $5)
- 600-700 lbs. ranging from $325-$384 (down $5)
- 700-800 lbs. ranging from $310-$346 (down $8)
Heifer prices as follows:
- 400-500 lbs. ranging from $355-$395 (up $5)
- 500-600 lbs. ranging from $305-$347 (up $5)
- 600-700 lbs. ranging from $280-$315 (down $5)
- 700-800 lbs. ranging from $250-$299 (down $10)
The majority (40 per cent) of cattle went east, while local buyers picked up 30 per cent. U.S. buyers took 20 per cent of the cattle on offer this week and southern Alberta 10 per cent.
Wild futures and big volume put pressure on the market this week. Looks like more pressure is coming as pens fill up. With the rocky weather, calf quality may start to slip.
For some of the lighter cattle and second-cut types, it may be a good plan to feed them into the new year.
