ONT Farm Market News PM Livestock Summary for December 23 Here is the Country Auction Report as collected by the Beef Farmers of Ontario Friday. * REPLACEMENT CATTLE: There were 450 head on offer at Brussels. A smaller number was on offer due to inclement weather. Calves and yearlings sold fully steady. Large & Medium Steers over 900 lbs:$224.77 - $255.08 Large & Medium Steers 700-800 lbs:$233.00 - $264.00 Large & Medium Steers 500-600 lbs:$311.00 - $311.64 Large & Medium Heifers over 800 lbs:$156.74 - $222.35 Large & Medium Heifers 600-700 lbs:$190.00 - $261.00 Large & Medium Heifers 500-600 lbs:$195.00 - $253.00 From the Beef Farmers of Ontario, the Rail Grade Report. Prices are on carcass weight basis, before grade and weight discounts. Steers: $320.00 - $320.00 Heifers: $319.00 - $319.00 *From Ontario Pork: *Quebec's average price on Thursday was $183.01 per ckg D.W. 100 index. *The previous markets day's CME Constructed (201) price was $79.19 U.S. per cwt. D.W. *Compared to the previous day this was down $0.94 *Average weekly price /ckg DW total value $226.06 *Total volume of Ont. hogs sold was 109557 * From the Beef Farmers of Ontario, the weekly beef commentary: Comments for the week ending December 22, 2022 Light receipts of 164 fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week, down 220 head from last week, but 25 more than the same time last year. Fed steers ranged from $184.27-$196.21 with a weekly weighted average price of $190.11, up $1.51 from the previous week and $30.85 above year ago prices. Fed heifers sold from $172.70-$199.61 averaging $188.43, up $2.91 from the week before and $28.56 stronger than last year at this time. Auction markets reported a strong active trade with prices noted as fully steady to stronger. The Ontario railgrade market was light this week ahead of the upcoming holiday. Fed steers sold at $320.00 dressed while heifers traded at $319.00 cwt dressed which is fully steady to the previous weeks trade. The cattle trading on the rail this week are reported to be scheduled for immediate delivery to the week of January 3, 2023. 2,142 fed/cull cows sold through auction markets this week down 828 from the week before but 323 more than the same week last year. Cows ranged from $62.50-$100.46 averaging $79.13 down $4.56 from the previous week but $20.62 above last year at this time. Auction markets reported trade as barely steady to start, and by mid-week fully steady to lower trade was reported. The market ended the week with beef cows fully steady while dairy breeds were easier. There were only 252 beef cows sold this week, down 419 head from last week, averaging $88.90 down $0.26 from last weeks weighted average beef cow price. Seasonally lighter receipts of 2,626 stocker and feeder cattle sold through auction markets this week down 1,828 head from last week but 719 more than the same time last year. Auction markets reported calves as active with prices fully steady to higher, with quality considered and ended the week on good demand at steady to stronger prices. Yearlings/heavier cattle sold at prices steady on the steers and steady to $3.00-$5.00 cwt higher on the heifers. By mid-week trade was steady to barely steady with quality considered and ended the week steady. Actual average prices this week saw steers 400-500 lbs down $17.88, 500-600 lbs up $20.92, 600-700 lbs up $27.66, 700-800 lbs up $29.99, 800-900 up $16.21, 900-1000 lbs up $1.95 while steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $7.78 easier than last week. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were up $3.40 on average, 400-500 lbs down $24.10, 500-600 lbs up $4.93, 600-700 lbs up $18.23, 700-800 lbs up $14.64, 800-900 lbs up $30.55 with heifers 900 lbs and over averaging $9.66 stronger than last weeks weighted average prices. The Quebec electronic market this week was reported at $320.00 cwt delivered on a picked-up basis, up $4.00 cwt from last weeks trade on average. Alberta direct trade was light with prices $2.00 cwt stronger than last week from $306.00-$307.00 delivered on a dressed basis, mainly $307.00 cwt. Canfax reports: Competition on the cash market remains limited with one packer buying most of the cattle. US packer interest has been quiet so far this week. Not only have cash volumes been light but packers are also getting fewer grid cattle committed to them. With bitterly cold temperatures many producers are primarily focused on keeping cattle bedded and thawing waters. Selling inquires have been light and sale volumes are expected to be very light. The U.S. cash cattle trade the week ending December 16th was light in the south with sales from $153.00-$155.50 live, mainly $155.00 which is just steady. In the north live trade ranged from $155.00-$159.00, mostly $156.00 which is also steady. Dressed trade ranged from $245.00-$248.00 with majority at $248.00 up $1.00 cwt. Overall average prices for the week reported by the USDA Mandatory Price Report saw live steers average $155.69 down $0.10 from the previous week while heifers averaged $155.64 live up $0.09. On the rail steers averaged $247.80 up $0.98 with heifers averaging $247.58 up $0.79. This week the U.S. cash cattle trade was at a standstill early week as a severe winter storm blanketed most feeding states. A few bids in the south on Wednesday were passed in the south at $153.00 live. A couple of deals in Iowa were noted at $247.00-$248.00 dressed which is steady, but not nearly enough to establish a market. Cattle futures were strong on Wednesday which supported the sellers resolve. Thursday, trade was light with sales reported at $155.00 live in the south, steady to last week. In the north deals ranged from $156.00-$158.00 live, steady to $2.00 higher with dressed deals up $1.00 cwt at $249.00. At time of reporting Friday morning a few bids in the north are surfacing at $155.00-$156.00 live down from Thursdays trade but sellers are showing no interest. Asking prices are reported at $156.00- $157.00 live in the south and $250.00 plus dressed in the north. Business could continue today ahead of the holiday weekend but it appears the market is established. Jamie Gamble - Beef Farmers of Ontarios market information report.