Ca t t l e prices and numbers both held firm at Manitoba
auction yards during the week ended April 29, as the markets were in the middle of the last push of the season before activity slows down during the spring and summer.
“Butcher cattle are as strong as we’ve seen them for years,” said Robin Hill of Heartland Livestock Services at Virden. “On the feeder cattle, we probably saw the highest highs on the grass cattle of the spring this week.”
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Demand was largest for the better-quality animals, with the plainer cattle “picked on a little harder,” he said.
The strength in the butcher cattle market was tied to numbers, as “the packers are moving the meat, and we’re not importing as much,” said Hill. “We’re moving our product better.”
Grass was still two to three weeks away, he said, “but hopefully it will start turning green here.”
Much of Manitoba, especially the western part of the province, saw a late snowstorm over the weekend. With flooding and wet fields still a concern in many areas, the extra moisture could have a mixed effect on the cattle sector.
“A nice half-inch rain on the high ground wouldn’t hurt and would wash the grass off,” said Hill, “but there is a lot of low ground and in the valleys it’s looking tough.”
He expected volumes will start to decline over the next few weeks, with seeding likely underway in earnest in 10 to 14 days. At that time, numbers will slow right down and likely remain that way, as usual, through the summer months.
The current strength of the cattle markets, for both butcher and feeder animals, is good news for cattle ranchers, although high costs do cut into the profitability.
“The fat steers are at a good dollar, but for what it costs, they need a big dollar,” said Hill, noting the high cost of feed grain. “There’s still profit, but not as much as we all think when you sit down and really do the math.”
FROM THE AUCTION FLOORS
Note:Allpricesin Canadiandollarsperhundredweight (cwt).These pricesalsogenerallyrepresent thetopone-thirdof salesreportedbytheauction yard.
Ashern Livestock Mart:An estimated 300 slaughter cattle and 1,060 feeders were sold at the sale held April 27. In the slaughter market, D1 and D2 cows sold anywhere from $70 to $76; D3 and D5 cows, $60-$68; age verified, $77-$85; good bulls, $80-$95; heiferettes, up to $88; and older shelly cows, $40 and up.
Feeder steers weighing 800-900 lbs. brought $103- $122.50; 700-800 lbs., $117- $135; 600-700 lbs., $118- $139; 500-600 lbs., $120- $144; and 400-500 lbs., $129- $156.
Feeder heifers weighing 700-800 lbs. brought $100- $124; 600-700 lbs., $105- $130; 500-600 lbs., $110- $138, and 400-500 lbs., $115- $137.50.
Gladstone Auction Mart: The April 26 sale saw a total of 625 head of cattle sold at the Gladstone yard.
Feeder steers weighing 900-1,000 lbs. sold from $100-$104.50; 800-900 lbs., $102-$113.50; 700-800 lbs., $100-$138; 600-700 lbs. , $105-$151; 500-600 lbs. ,
$105-$155.50; 400-500 lbs., $125-$174.50; and 300-400 lbs., $120-$164.
Feeder heifers weighing 900-1,000 lbs. traded from $90 to $104.75; 800-900 lbs., $95-$110.50; 700-800 lbs., $95-$124.50; 600-700 lbs., $105-$133; 500-600 lbs. , $110-$135.50; 400-500 lbs., $103-$142; and 300-400 lbs., $113-$141.
Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart:There were 124 slaughter cattle and 300 feeders sold at the Grunthal yard on April 27. In the slaughter market, fleshy export cows traded from $66 to $74; lean export cows, $60-$64; mature cows, $55- $63; and export bulls, $82- $88.75.
Feeder heifers weighing 700-800 lbs. brought $110- $118.50; 600-700 lbs., $120- $132; 500-600 lbs., $125- $141; 400-500 lbs., $130- $143; and under 400 lbs., $130-$143.
Feeder steers weighing 700-800 lbs., ranged from $120 to $130; 600-700 lbs., $122-$132; 500-600 lbs. , $130-$143; 400-500 lbs. , $145-$156; and under 400 lbs., $142-$152.
Heartland Livestock Services, Brandon:A total of 1,008 cattle were on offer in Brandon at the April 26 sale. In the slaughter market, D1-D2 cows sold for $74 to $79.50; D3 cows, $64-$73; shelly cows, $55-$63; and good bulls, $84-$89.
Feeder steers weighing 900-1,000 lbs. ranged from $105 to $111; 800-900 lbs., $110-$122; 700-800 lbs. , $118-$146; 600-700 lbs. , $130-$152.50; 500-600 lbs., $140-$158.25; 400-500 lbs., $148-$166; and 300-400 lbs., $155-$169.50.
Feeder hei fers weighing 900-1,000 lbs. brought $90-$99.75; 800-900 lbs. , $103-$114; 700-800 lbs. , $112-$123.25; 600-700 lbs., $122-$146; 500-600 lbs. , $130-$143; 400-500 lbs. , $133-$146; and 300-400 lbs., $138-$148.
Heartland Livestock Services, Virden:A total of 1,109 cattle were on offer in Virden at the April 27 sale. In the slaughter market, butcher steers sold for $96 to $102; butcher heifers, $95- $101.25; age-verified young cows, $70-$80; D1-D2 cows, $69-$77; D3 cows, $64-$69; shelly cows, $48-$63; and mature bulls, $87-$92.75.
Feeder steers weighing 900-1,000 lbs. ranged from $105 to $112.75; 800-900 lbs. , $111-$123; 700-800 lbs. , $122-$139; 600-700 lbs., $133-$151; 500-600 lbs., $143-$163; and 400-500 lbs., $145-$165.
Feeder heifers weighing 900-1,000 lbs. brought $98- $106; 800-900 lbs., $104-$114; 700-800 lbs., $111-$124; 600- 700 lbs., $116-$134; 500-600 lbs., $125-$142; and 400-500 lbs., $127-$143.
Killarney Auction Mart: No report available.
Ste. Rose Auction Mart: There were 873 cattle sold at the April 28 sale. In the slaughter market, D1 and D2 cows ranged from $72 to $78; D3 and D4 cows, $55- $70; canners, $35-$53; good bulls, $88-$98; and medium bulls, $80-$87.
Feeder steers weighing 800-900 lbs. brought $112- $120; 700-800 lbs., $122-$133; 600-700 lbs., $130-$150; 500- 600 lbs., $144-$156; 400-500 lbs., $150-$170; and 300-400 lbs., $135-$167.
Feeder heifers weighing 800-900 lbs., traded from $100 to $110; 700-800 lbs., $110-$122; 600-700 lbs. , $114-$130; and 500-600 lbs., $121-$139.50.
Taylor Auctions, Melita: No report available.
Winnipeg Livestock Sales: There were about 1,100 cattle sold at the sale held April 29. In the slaughter market, dry fed cows ranged from $68 to $71; good fleshed, $64-$68; lean, $55-$64; age verified/young, $58-$78; and good bulls, $87-$97.
Feeder steers weighing 800-900 lbs. brought $115- $121; 700-800 lbs., $122- $132; 600-700 lbs., $130- $144; 500-600 lbs., $140- $152; and 400-500 lbs., $140- $157.
Feeder heifers weighing 800-900 lbs. traded from $100 to $110; 700-800 lbs., $110-$119; 600-700 lbs. , $120-$130; and 500-600 lbs., $125-$134.
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– ROBIN HILL, HEARTLAND LIVESTOCK SERVICES, VIRDEN
“Thefatsteersareatagooddollar,butfor whatitcosts,theyneedabigdollar.”
