ONT Farm Market News PM Livestock Summary for April 8 Here is the Country Auction Report as collected by the Beef Farmers of Ontario Friday. * REPLACEMENT CATTLE: There were 1,300 head on offer at Brussels. Calves sold fully steady. Yearlings sold actively on a stronger market. Large & Medium Steers over 900 lbs:$180.50 - $197.42 Large & Medium Steers 700-800 lbs:$188.00 - $220.00 Large & Medium Steers 500-600 lbs:$202.00 - $260.00 Large & Medium Heifers over 800 lbs:$159.91 - $183.48 Large & Medium Heifers 600-700 lbs:$174.00 - $200.00 Large & Medium Heifers 500-600 lbs:$157.50 - $191.00 From the Beef Farmers of Ontario, the Rail Grade Report. Prices are on carcass weight basis, before grade and weight discounts. Steers: $290.00 - $290.00 Heifers: $289.00 - $290.00 *From Ontario Pork: *Quebec's average price on Thursday was $195.64 per ckg D.W. 100 index. *The previous markets day's CME Constructed (201) price was $100.11 U.S. per cwt. D.W. *Compared to the previous day this was down $1.1 *Average weekly price /ckg DW total value $250.88 *Total volume of Ont. hogs sold was 110106 * From the Beef Farmers of Ontario, the weekly beef commentary: Comments for the week ending April 7, 2022: 461 fed steers and heifers were sold through auction markets this week, up 1,232 head from last week and about steady to this time last year. Fed steers ranged from $166.06-$177.39, averaging $172.49, up $3.41 from last week and $30.74 above year ago prices. Fed heifers traded from $160.53- $174.05, averaging $169.73, up $0.88 from the previous week and $27.48 stronger than this time last year. Auction markets reported trade as steady to fully steady but by Thursday the market was $1.00 cwt higher. The Ontario railgrade market was fairly quiet this week with just a light test reported and one federal packer not bidding. The few sales reported were at $290.00 for steers with delivery the week of April 25th, and a couple for $293.00 for next week delivery. Heifer sales were limited from $289.00- $290.00 dressed and not enough sold to establish a price report, however the market tone was steady. The Boxed Beef Report by Kevin Grier for last weeks overview noted: The market remained on an upward trajectory last week. There is pricing momentum and demand is supportive. Middle meats are showing seasonal strength. The chuck is showing counter-seasonal strength. Competing meats, especially chicken, are on the rise and beefs competitive position is improving. Production has been ample, but demand has been able to support higher prices. With that said, volumes sold in the U.S. were sluggish last week. Packers have been well sold out-front, but that also means that buyers are well bought. Production is going to stay abundant in both Canada and the U.S. Logic suggests that demand is going to become less of an engine given inflation and concerns about the economy. Reporting on the Spot Canadian Availability Kevin notes: Cargill worked Saturday in High River and put in overtime each day in Guelph. Packers will have product on hand this week across the cutout. Ribs and tenders might be tight, but the rest should be available. U.S. product will continue to show in Canada and keep Canadian packers on the defensive. 2,119 fed/cull cows sold through auction markets this week up 364 head from last week and 84 more than the same week last year. Cows traded from $80.22-$111.99 with a weekly weighted average price of $94.82 down $2.07 from last week and $20.82 above last year at this time. Auction markets reported trade as steady with quality considered to start. By Tuesday trade was reported as steady to $3.00-$5.00 cwt stronger and steady by Wednesday and Thursday. 31% of this weeks volume of cows were beef cows at 648 head, averaging $99.03 down $3.53 from last weeks weighted average beef cow price. Last week beef cows made up just 20% of the total weekly offering. 3,505 stocker and feeder cattle sold through auction markets this week down 940 head from last week but 579 more than the same week last year. Auction markets reported trade as active with prices reported as firm to fully steady. By mid-week the heavy cattle were barely steady. The market ended the week as steady to stronger. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs up $22.03 from last week, 500-600 lbs up $19.82, 600-700 lbs up $8.19, 700-800 lbs up $6.54, 800-900 lbs up $5.21, 900-1000 lbs up $2.52 and steers 1000 lbs and over averaged $0.47 easier than last weeks weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were up $4.96 on average, 400-500 lbs up $8.82, 500-600 lbs up $5.97, 600-700 lbs up $5.63, 700-800 lbs up $10.11, 800-900 lbs up $2.73 and heifers 900 lbs plus averaged $0.22 above last week on average. The Quebec electronic market this week was reported at $300.25 cwt on a picked-up basis, up $5.44 from last week on average, with a light offering all selling to Quebec plants. Alberta direct trade on Wednesday and Thursday was moderate in volume noted Canfax, with prices holding fully steady to last week at $275.00 cwt delivered on a dressed basis. Canfax notes that most of this weeks larger offering was sold, with delivery scheduled for the first couple of weeks in May. The U.S. cash cattle trade for the week ending April 1st was fully steady in the south at mainly $138.00 live. Northern feeders were able to push prices slightly higher with sales reported from $138.00-$144.00 live, with cattle in Iowa at the higher end. Dressed prices saw a large range from $219.00- $228.00 dressed, mainly $222.00-$223.00 up $1.00-$2.00 cwt. Overall average prices for the week, posted by the USDA Mandatory Price report saw live steers average $139.32 up $0.37 with heifers averaging $138.68 up $0.36. On the rail, steers averaged $222.61 dressed, up $1.15 from the previous week while heifers averaged $222.21 up $1.21. This week the U.S. cash cattle trade surfaced on Monday which is unusually early. Trade most of this week was light to moderate at fully steady prices, with business occurring daily. Live trade in the south has been reported from $137.00-$138.00, mainly $138.00. In the north steady prices of $138.00- $140.00 live and $220.00-$225.00 dressed, majority at $222.00 were reported. A few clean up deals on Thursday surfaced in the north with a slight improvement to $140.00-$141.00 live and $222.00-$226.00 dressed. Business for the week appears to be completed. Jamie Gamble - Beef Farmers of Ontarios market information report.