Southern Manitoba, courtesy of Killarney Auction Mart
We saw 1,440 head through the ring this Monday at Killarney Auction Mart:
- five per cent cows and bulls
- five per cent yearlings
- 90 per cent calves
Cows are holding steady, trading $1.25–$1.35 per pound. High-yielding cows topping at $1.41.
Feeders are a little more unpredictable as a very busy fall run continues. Numbers are being bumped with a larger-than-normal volume of lighter weight calves. The price slide on heifers has tightened up and the spread between steers and heifers has widened. This likely means heifer orders will start coming out of the woodwork.
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Body condition, nutrition and vaccination for brood cows
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With the onset of winter across the Prairies and grey weather in southern Ontario, modified live vaccines do prove their worth. If buyers have vaccination info about cattle, it can make a difference in price as vaccinated calves do hold together better after the stress of weaning and shipping.
As we get into November, bred cow sales are getting ready to start. Lots of people are asking what bred cows and heifers will be worth. It is a tough question this year. If you price a bred cow at a steer calf plus a cull cow, good bred cows should trade $3,000 to $3,500. However, with limited feed supply across a significant portion of Western Canada, a demographic of aging cattle farmer that is more likely to retire than to expand and rising land values, we are forced to look at supply and demand for commercial breeding stock. This probably means we will see bred cows more based at a cull price plus X dollars.
The bright side for sellers is the talk that some producers are selling heifer calves to buy breds. This will give them a calf to sell a year sooner. We may also see cow-calf producers looking to minimize income tax this fall for the first time in a long time.
It does look like bred females will sell well but will still be priced to work for the buyer.
Western Manitoba, courtesy of Heartland Livestock Services
Virden saw 4,400 cattle through the ring this week, with 70 per cent fresh calves, 20 per cent feeders and 10 per cent butcher cattle. Most weight classes of steers were up $5, but lightweight (400-500 lb.) steers were up $10. Heifers were up $5, except for the 500-600 lb. weight class, which was up $10.
Steer prices as follows:
- 400-500 lbs. ranged from $440 to $449
- 500-600 lbs. ranged from $390 to $420
- 600-700 lbs. ranged from $365 to $389
- 700-800 lbs. ranged from $350 to $374.
Heifer prices as follows:
- 400-500 lbs. ranged from $350 to $396
- 500-600 lbs. ranged from $310 to $341
- 600-700 lbs. ranged from $300 to $328
- 700-800 lbs. ranged from $285 to $310
Southern Alberta buyers purchased 40 per cent of the cattle this week, while local, Eastern and U.S. buyers each took 20 per cent of the pie.
We saw a stronger market this week with better weather. Plain cattle are starting to see big discounts. The market looks strong.
Keep calves fresh — do not short wean!
Southern Saskatchewan, courtesy of Whitewood Livestock
We saw 3,187 cattle this week at Whitewood Livestock. The majority (92 per cent) were fresh calves, seven per cent butcher cattle and one per cent feeders.
Steer prices were as follows:
- 400-500 lbs. ranged from $420 to $483
- 500-600 lbs. ranged from $374 to $430
- 600-700 lbs. ranged from $335 to $394
- 700-800 lbs. ranged from $326 to $370
Heifer prices came in as follows
- 400-500 lbs. ranged from $326 to $369
- 500-600 lbs. ranged from $302 to $348
- 600-700 lbs. ranged from $297 to $333
- 700-800 lbs. ranged from $280 to $310
Cows came in at $123 to $155 and bulls from $165 to $179.
Market was steady to stronger this week. Light calves gaining some strength. Usually we see the market come under pressure during the heaviest part of the fall run, but it often rebounds as the run slows.
Producers can sell in confidence, as the market is still extremely strong.
Southern Alberta, courtesy of Perlich Bros
This week 3,006 calves sold to a steady to stronger market due to favourable moves in the Canadian dollar and rebound in cattle futures. Light run of mixed yearlings this week. Steer prices as follows:
- 300-400 lbs. ranged from $300 to $475
- 400-500 lbs. ranged from $390 to $474
- 500-600 lbs. ranged from $290 to $390
- 600-700 lbs. ranged from $250 to $365
- 700-800 lbs. ranged from $250 to $359
- 800-900 lbs. ranged from $290 to $317
Heifer prices as follows:
- 300-400 lbs. ranged from $350 to $388
- 400-500 lbs. ranged from $290 to $375
- 500-600 lbs. ranged from $250 to $342
- 600-700 lbs. ranged from $260 to $325
- 700-800 lbs. ranged from $225 to $82.50
- 800-900 lbs. ranged from $180 to $282.50
- 900–1,000 lbs. ranged from $240 to $279
We have 2,100 calves booked for presort sale on Saturday. Nov 4. After that, only one presort left on Nov 11, at 10 a.m. If you have calves to sell this fall you may want to take advantage of this sale. Give us a call at 403-329-3101.
Also this week, 570 slaughter cows and bulls sold, for a dollar or two higher. Bred sale on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 1:00 p.m.
