Cattle numbers likely to drop as prices hold steady

Cattle numbers likely to drop as prices hold steady

Lack of regrowth on pastures may send more cattle to market

Prices at six of Manitoba’s eight cattle auctions didn’t see much movement overall for the week ended June 3. Now on a biweekly schedule, the auction marts at Ashern and Ste. Rose skipped this week, with their next sales on June 9 and 10 respectively. At Winnipeg Livestock Sales, field representative Scott Anderson said slaughter

Late-May rainfall welcomed as cattle bids decline

Late-May rainfall welcomed as cattle bids decline

Rising feed prices and a stronger loonie have dragged on values

It was another week of declining cattle numbers at livestock auction sites across Manitoba during the week ended May 27. As auction sites in Gladstone, Killarney and Ste. Rose du Lac were closed for the week, only 2,375 cattle went through the rings, down from 2,426 the previous week. Of those 2,375, at least 950


Weather, slaughter market warming up

Weather, slaughter market warming up

A continued dry spell could boost demand for sales

Fewer cattle went through the rings at Manitoba auction sites during the week ending May 13, but the slaughter market is seeing higher numbers as the mercury rises. With temperatures hovering around 20 C across southern Manitoba in the midst of dry conditions, more producers chose to sell butcher cattle earlier than expected. At least 610 were sold during

Factors pile up for a downturn in cattle markets

Factors pile up for a downturn in cattle markets

The loonie’s current strength is not helpful

Along with the stronger Canadian dollar, a few other factors have combined to point the Manitoba cattle industry toward something of a downturn, according to Harold Unrau of the Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart. “Grain prices are rising. Cattle futures are staying the same or maybe dropping a bit. So between the dollar and the grain


Cattle market holds strong in face of challenges ahead

Cattle market holds strong in face of challenges ahead

Current dry conditions and high prices for feed add pressure

Despite recently backing off, Manitoba’s cattle market maintained some strength for the week ended April 8, according to Gladstone Auction Mart auctioneer Tyler Slawinski. The market, he said, is not as strong as it was at its peak about four weeks ago. “Fewer cattle are moving. Everybody is either cleaning out or they have cleaned out due

Pre-Easter lull and weather hit cattle market volume

Pre-Easter lull and weather hit cattle market volume

Despite scant supply, prices held up nicely

Aspring snowstorm and holiday shutdowns ahead of the Easter long weekend limited activity at Manitoba’s cattle auction yards during the week ended April 1, but prices — for what moved — were solid. Snow and strong winds led to highway closures across the Prairies on March 29 to 30. “Producers didn’t want to take their


Drop in quality and numbers seen at cattle sales

Drop in quality and numbers seen at cattle sales

Cattle producers welcome AgriStability changes

Quality in cattle, especially in feeder steers, was a bit harder to find as Manitoba livestock auction found during the week ending March 25. Heavyweight feeder steers had less of a presence than in previous weeks, with only Winnipeg Livestock Sales reporting sales of feeders weighing more than 1,000 lbs. Meanwhile, lightweight feeder steers topped

Lightweight feeder steer prices decline

Lightweight feeder steer prices decline

Spring calving and weather forecasts favour buyers

Fewer cattle went through the rings at Manitoba livestock auction sites during the week ending March 12 compared to the previous week. At least 10,800 head were sold, including about 10,000 feeders this week, down from more than 12,000 the previous week. At most sites this week, prices were steady to lower for lightweight feeder


Auction activity recovers as colder spell retreats

Auction activity recovers as colder spell retreats

Eastern and western feedlots are again shopping for feeder cattle

Temperatures were still cold across Manitoba during the third week of February, but sunny skies and daytime highs in the -20s C, or even the minus teens, were much more welcome at the cattle auctions than the -40s with the wind chill that limited activity the previous week. “We’re getting out of this cold snap