Southern Manitoba, courtesy of Killarney Auction Mart
This week at Killarney Auction Mart:
- Five per cent butchers
- 95 per cent calves
We did see the cull cow market gain some strength this week which is uncommon for this time of year. We are now in the busiest time of the fall run from mid-October to mid-November. We are unlikely to see the market improve during this period.
With this time of year, we will see fluctuations in the market caused by bottlenecks such as trucking availability and feedlots’ ability to handle numbers. This year with the higher prices, cash flow and credit may play a role as well.
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As the weather gets more volatile watch for buyers to pay more attention to vaccination history on calves. In some cases, they will be willing to pay more if accurate information is available.
With the stress involved in moving wet-nose calves around, a minimum of one shot of a modified live vaccine does help hold the health together. Attention to detail still matters in this high market. Bull calves at middle and heavyweights are still bringing more than top-end steers did a year ago. However, bull calves may be looking at a $ 0.50/lb. discount. This is easy money to keep in your pocket.
Look for the market to stay reasonably steady with the usual fall run fluctuations from day to day.
Western Manitoba, courtesy of Heartland Livestock Services
Great weather and great cattle made for another great week. Virden saw 3,800 cattle through the ring this week, with 80 per cent of those fresh calves, 12 per cent feeders and eight per cent butcher cattle.
Calf prices held steady, although heavyweight steers saw a $7 drop, and heavyweight heifers declined $5 on average. Buyers bumped cow prices up $2 and bulls held steady. This is likely a short-term trend. Expecting big volumes next week as a tsunami of calves hits the rings.
About 45 per cent of the cattle headed to southern Alberta, 30 per cent East, 15 per cent to local buyers and the remaining 10 per cent south of the border.
Make sure not to “short-wean” your calves. Sell them right off the cow or wean and put them on feed for at least eight weeks.
Southern Alberta, courtesy of Perlich Bros. Auction
This week saw 5,566 calves sold at fully steady prices. Only two presorts are left this month at our auction, so if you have calves to sell, book them in. Steer prices ranged from $400-$500 for the lightest calves to $285-$375 for 600-700 lb. calves. Lightweight (400-500 lb.) heifers brought anywhere from $300-$400, while 600-700 lb. heifers saw $290-$320.
On Thursday, 650 yearlings sold to a limited demand. Plain and odd-ball cattle continue to sell way down in price.
Thursday also saw 550 cows and bulls sold. Slaughter cows continued to hold steady this week. Big cow numbers expected for next week as preg testing continues.
For more market analysis and seasonal health info, visit Calf Central.
