Southern Manitoba, courtesy of Killarney Auction Mart
The fall run is underway at Killarney Auction Mart. This week brought:
- five per cent butchers
- five per cent yearlings
- 90 per cent calves
The market has stayed very steady from last week to this week with light- to middle-weight heifers getting a little stronger.
As harvest is wrapping up, the fall run will continue full steam ahead. Maybe it was just this barn this week, but there are more light cattle on offer than we have ever seen. In fact, 12 per cent of the calves on offer were under 400 lbs. Further to that, an additional 35 per cent were between 400-500 lbs. It makes one wonder what grass cattle will be available next spring. It certainly seems early to be thinking of buying next year’s grassers. These cattle under 500 lbs. take a lot of knowledge and TLC to get started.
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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…
While it has been relatively quiet in the Manitoba markets the last few weeks, it was nice to see one of the Alberta majors back a little more aggressively in the butcher market this week.
Feeder cattle will continue to ebb and flow as they always do through the fall. Cows and bulls virtually never get stronger than the fall as producers preg check and cull.
Western Manitoba, courtesy of Heartland Livestock Services
This week saw 5,000 cattle through the ring at Virden, with 70 per cent of those being fresh calves, 10 per cent butcher cattle and 20 per cent feeders. Good weather held the market together for another week. Mixed-quality and smaller-framed calves starting to see discounts.
However, overall record prices on all weight breaks. I would think lower prices are coming on the 500-550 lb. in the coming weeks.
Steers from 400-800 lbs. were up $5, as were light-weight heifers. Cows were down $2, and bulls down $3. Forty per cent of the cattle went to southern Alberta, 30 per cent East, 20 per cent to local buyers and 10 per cent south.
Local orders are starting to kick in. Three-hundred-and-fifty to 450 lb. cattle are bringing lots per pound as well as the big 600-750 lb. calves. Five hundred to 550 lb. is a bit of a dead weight — too heavy for grass, too light to come out at a great time!
Southern Saskatchewan, courtesy of Whitewood Livestock
Whitewood Livestock saw 2,287 cattle through the ring this week, with 85 per cent comprising fresh calves, seven per cent feeders and eight per cent butcher cattle. The market remained strong and benefited from better weather and an easing of wet conditions this week. Great prices mean producers can sell in confidence.
Steer prices this week were as follows:
- 400-500 lbs. ranged from $425-$510.
- 500-600 lbs. ranged from $380-441.
- 600-700 lbs. ranged from $350-399.
- 700-800 lbs. ranged from $335-$376.
This week heifers ranged as follows:
- 400-500 lbs. ranged from $365-$433.50.
- 500-600 lbs. ranged from $330-$380.
- 600-700 lbs. ranged from $310-$353.
Cows brought anywhere from $127 to $156.50, bulls $140 to $167.50.
For more market analysis and seasonal health info, visit Calf Central.
