Wet conditions in southern Manitoba, including overland flooding, have had an effect on the number of cattle going through the rings at auction sites in the province for the week ended May 12.
“I would say that the yards that were muddy and full of water definitely slowed down the flow of cattle,” said Brad Kehler, auctioneer and auction sales representative for Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart.
A series of heavy rains over the past month have flooded fields and washed out roads in parts of Manitoba. Otterburne and Ste. Agathe — both west of Grunthal and neighbouring the Red River — were issued flood warnings from the province. However, the rains have also alleviated and eliminated drought conditions.
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“Well, I hope (the rains) bring more grass than it did last year,” Kehler added.
At least 4,849 cattle were sold at auction during the week, marking a sharp decline from the 7,380 animals purchased in the previous week. Killarney Auction Mart did not have a regular sale, while figures from Heartland at Brandon were unavailable at press time.
Prices remained mostly steady compared to the previous week.
“Cows are steady, probably stronger than what I expected them to be at,” Kehler said. “I would say the marketplace is pretty stable.”
Fears over lower demand due to high meat prices brought cattle futures down on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). The highest-traded August live cattle contract closed at US$132.775 per hundredweight on May 12, US$7.60 lower than on April 22. The August feeder cattle contract also saw a similar decline, falling to a May 12 close of US$166.525/cwt, just eight days after closing at US$176.20. However, a weakened Canadian dollar has brought support to prices.
“At our (auction site), cattle are staying fairly local. Maybe some are moving to the west,” Kehler said. “I think we should be into a stable market. There might be some interest for late-grass calves, but I would think everything will stay pretty much on level.”
The spring flooding in Manitoba has prompted the province to announce on May 9 it will provide disaster financial assistance (DFA) to individuals and municipalities experiencing damages to infrastructure, private residences, farms and/or small businesses.
DFA provides financial assistance for uninsurable losses to basic and essential property, as well as livestock losses. A veterinary certificate is needed to verify that livestock losses were directly as a result of spring flooding.
To apply for DFA, log on to manitoba.ca/emo/dfa/farm.
