The fall run continued to bring large numbers of cattle to Manitoba’s eight auction sites, while prices also maintained strength for the week ended Nov. 3.
Excluding Heartland Livestock Services in Brandon, 14,564 cattle went through the rings during the week in Manitoba. By comparison, 12,896 animals were sold at all eight sites during the previous week.
Ashern Auction Mart saw its number of cattle more than double at 2,458 for its regular sale on Nov. 2. The additional cattle did little to soften prices, according to general manager Kirk Kiesman.
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“Feeder cattle on quality packages were stronger this week than what they were last week. I think on our market we had some really good coloured cattle this week and then we had some good lighter (Charolais cattle),” he said, also citing black and Simmental cattle as other types that sold well.
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The lightest feeder steers ranged in price from $335 to $390 per hundredweight on the week ended Nov. 3, compared to $339 to $375/cwt. for the previous week. The lightest heifers ranged from $253 to $287/cwt. for the week ended Nov. 3, compared to $240 to $290/cwt. one week earlier.
D1 and D2 cow prices were between $87 and $101/cwt., while the previous week’s range was $85 to $103.75/cwt. Mature bulls ranged in price from $110 to $136/cwt., a smaller range from the previous week, which was $105 to $145/cwt.
Kiesman believes price declines for lightweight cattle can be attributed to trucking.
“Guys are having trouble getting trucks to move the cattle around. I think that’s eliminating some of the orders, because if they got wet-nosed calves and they have to store them, it doesn’t work to have wet-nosed calves sitting in pens all week while they try to find trucks,” he said.
On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the December live cattle contract closed at US$151.950/cwt. on Nov. 3, the first session in the black since Oct. 26. The January feeder cattle contract closed at $179.425/cwt. on Nov. 3, trading between $177.5 and $182.5/cwt. since Oct. 19.
Kiesman also said feed grain prices have been steady to higher recently, while prices for feed pellets have declined. Most sold cattle are not staying local.
“There are lots of cattle trading going on in Ontario, Quebec and the western provinces. There are a few companies exporting cattle to the U.S. right now,” Kiesman said.
“The number of cattle (through the rings) will continue to increase. Guys are pulling stuff off of pastures, so the numbers are going to increase or stay steady because it’s the start of our fall run.”
The 44th Manitoba Beef Producers annual general meeting will be held at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Conference Centre in Winnipeg on Feb. 2 and 3, 2023. Registration will open Nov. 15. For more information, visit the Manitoba Beef Producers website.
