Manitoba cattle sellers in good spirits

Manitoba cattle sellers in good spirits

Slaughter prices stay steady or tick slowly upward, pleasing producers

The Manitoba cattle market remains strong, with good prices for feeder and slaughter cattle, according to Ashern Auction Mart manager Kirk Kiesman. “Everyone who is selling is happy,” Kiesman said about the Ashern auction. “Probably in the last two weeks we have seen the market kind of pick up five to 10 cents more [per


Cattle moving in greater numbers

Cattle moving in greater numbers

Trend expected to continue through February

While there was not much change in cattle prices at the Killarney Auction Mart at its Jan. 22 sale, the number of head sold was slightly more than triple the previous week. There were 1,255 cattle auctioned on Jan. 22, compared to 410 the previous Monday. “Some of those yearlings bought last summer are starting

Cold keeping cattle, buyers at home

Cold keeping cattle, buyers at home

Sales were cancelled and shipping animals difficult during frigid days

Frigid temperatures, especially in southwestern Manitoba, led to one cancelled sale and very few cattle going through the rings at other auctions during the week ended Jan. 18. Severely low temperatures and bitter wind chill values prompted Heartland Livestock Services in Brandon to cancel its sale on Jan. 16. Winnipeg Livestock Sales and HLS Virden


Cattle auction sites reopen for 2024

Cattle auction sites reopen for 2024

Cow and bull market better than anticipated

Four Manitoba cattle auction sites reopened during the week ended Jan. 11 after a holiday break, though buying activity hasn’t yet returned to normal levels. Gladstone Auction Mart, Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart and Heartland Livestock Services (HLS) in Brandon all conducted their first regular sales of 2024 on Jan. 9. HLS in Virden followed suit the next day,

“… the price high for this cattle cycle might not be seen until the fourth quarter of 2024, or even 2025, depending on the weather.” – Brenna Grant, Canfax.

More record cattle prices likely on horizon

If heifer retention rises, prices will continue to ascend

Manitoba’s eight cattle auctions and numerous others across Canada witnessed record high prices this past fall, and even stronger prices could be the big story in 2024, according to Brenna Grant, executive director of CanFax. “I think it would be no surprise that, with a smaller North American cattle herd, that the fundamentals remain strong,


Terrific prices, optimism but several ongoing issues for cattle markets through 2023

Terrific prices, optimism but several ongoing issues for cattle markets through 2023

Aging producer population, drought and inflation reduce cattle numbers

Record prices were a tremendous boon to the Manitoba cattle industry in 2023, but the sector continued to struggle with significant problems during the year, according to Manitoba Beef Producers general manager Carson Callum. “I think the high prices were one of the big things leading to optimism within the sector,” he said. “There’s been

Cattle auction sites closing for the holidays

Cattle auction sites closing for the holidays

Annual holiday slowdown comes after a long and busy fall run

A few Manitoba cattle auction sites closed their doors for the holiday season after their final regular sales of 2023. Gladstone, Ashern and Ste. Rose Auction Marts all conducted their final cattle sales before the New Year on Dec. 11, 13 and 14, respectively. Winnipeg Livestock Sales had one more regular sale on Dec. 15,


Cash prices lag behind cattle futures

Cash prices lag behind cattle futures

Buyers are paying a premium for healthy calves from proven producers

Sharp declines in the United States cattle futures market helped bring cattle prices down at auction sites across Manitoba for the week ended Dec. 7. Feeder steers weighing 700 pounds or more ranged in price from $210 to $348 per hundredweight during the week, compared to $225 to $378.50 one week earlier. The minimum price

Large volumes coming in, cattle prices remain strong

Large volumes coming in, cattle prices remain strong

Better weather brings calves to market and a grass cattle shortage looms

A high volume of cattle came to Manitoba auctions last week and prices held close to record levels. The provincial industry has positioned itself for a potentially excellent start to 2024, according to Gladstone and Ashern auctioneer Tyler Slawinski. Overall volume of cattle coming for sale eased off a little at Gladstone, but Slawinski said