For the week ending January 17, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5/cwt lower to $10/cwt higher compared to the week ending January 10. The market was quite variable across the Prairies with weather conditions influencing the price structure.
Overall, there was very strong demand with Ontario and Southern Alberta feedlots aggressively working to secure ownership. Buying interest for replacement heifers appears to be up and in some cases, top quality heifers have outsold their steer counterparts. Feeder cattle prices are nearing the historical highs from October and are expected to continue the upward trend into the spring.
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $505-$508/cwt delivered, up $5-$8/cwt from seven days earlier.
Read Also
Canadian Cattle Association welcomes reopening of Chinese market to Canadian beef
The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) says the Chinese market will re-open to Canadian beef — though details are still scant.
More cattle coverage: Is inflammation the real cause of milk fever in cattle?
At the Vermillion sale, medium to larger frame Angus cross steers carrying lighter flesh levels averaging 1,020 pounds sold for $463/cwt. South of Edmonton, a producer reported at pen-sized group of larger frame Simmental Angus cross steers averaging just over 900 pounds on controlled weight gain backgrounding ration with full processing data traded for $483/cwt fob farm.
The TEAM auction market report had a group of 163 lower flesh, black and red steers evaluated at 870 pounds with full processing records on controlled weight gain silage ration priced at $500/cwt fob feedlot near Coaldale.
At the Ste. Rose auction in Manitoba, Charolais steers weighing 803 pounds notched the board at $522/cwt. At the same sale, a smaller package of red and black heifers averaging 802 pounds sold for $453/cwt.
The Killarney market report included a group of 15 red steers averaging 711 pounds that sold for $548/cwt.
More livestock coverage: New animal welfare agency announced for Saskatchewan
At the Ponoka sale, a smaller package of mixed, medium frame, steers weighing 677 pounds traded for $518/cwt. In Vermillion, a group of four red Simmental based replacement heifers averaging 673 pounds sold for $525/cwt.
North of Calgary, a order buyer reported black, semi-weaned steers weighing 560 pounds with full processing sold for $688/cwt. In the same region, a smaller package of Charolais cross heifers scaled at 560 pounds traded for $620/cwt. At the Vermillion sale, a four-pack of Limousin Angus cross steer calves weighing 498 pounds traded for $747/cwt.
Nearby wholesale beef prices appear to be percolating higher. Given the year-over-year decrease in the Canadian and U.S. slaughter, wholesale beef prices are expected to make fresh historical highs this spring. Feedlot operators believe this will cause the Alberta fed market to climb sharply during March and April.
