The number of cattle headed to market dipped a bit for the week ended Oct. 27, but the fall run at Manitoba’s cattle auctions remains in full swing.
“We’re starting to see bigger strings coming off of the pastures; lots of top price cattle that are still getting a premium dollar,” said Tyler Slawinski, auctioneer at the Gladstone and Ashern Auction Marts.
Gladstone sold 1,063 cattle at its Oct. 28 auction, down a little from 1,160 the week before. Ashern saw 991 head on Oct. 26 compared to 1,295 on Oct. 19.
Read Also
Canadian canola prices at a potential inflection point
The week ending July 24, 2025, saw both higher canola prices and much-needed rain for the dry Canadian Prairies.
“The full, big fall run is on right now, with the harvest coming to an end,” said Slawinski. Cattle that came through this past winter and spring with quality issues are getting discounted prices.
Overall, he said prices were somewhat weaker at the start of last week but picked up after a few days. Across the province, D1-D2 cows ranged from $85 to $103.75 per hundredweight and D3-D5 cows were $75 to $96 per cwt. Mature bulls fetched $105 to $145 per cwt. and heiferettes were $80 to $154.
[RELATED] Feed weekly outlook: Tight logistics underpinning Prairie feed market
“By mid-week at Ashern, we started to see a local order come back on and cow prices are as strong as they were two weeks ago,” Slawinski said.
“Cow prices are holding strong compared to what we have seen over the last couple of years,” he added, noting cull cow and bull prices have yet to dip in the latter part of October as they normally do.
“It’s kind of nice to see them holding strong. Those cows have paid their way through their lifetime. When you can get a decent price for them when it’s this time, that’s a bonus,” said Slawinski.
As for feeder cattle, he said lighter animals were a little more positive last week.
At Gladstone there were few changes in feeder prices. For instance, 400 to 500-pound feeder steers that went for $300 to $329 per cwt. on Oct. 18 sold for $305 to $331 per cwt. on Oct. 25. Feeder heifers in the same weight category sold for $225 to $244 per cwt. on Oct. 18, and garnered $223 to $242.50 a week later.
Slawinski said feedlots continue to demand cattle but want them gone by the holidays.
“No one wants to deal with sick cattle over the holidays,” the auctioneer said.
