The Assiniboia Livestock Auction held a pre-sorted all breeds sale for calves and yearlings on August 15 and a regular cull cow and bull sale on August 16 with a total 1,129 head sold. This number is up significantly from the 235 sold at the previous sale on August 2.
At the regular sale, there were no heiferettes sold. D1 and D2 cows sold between $0.92 and $1.02 per lb. up slightly from the previous sale. D3 cows sold between $0.75 to $0.90 per lb. a drop from the early August sale. Canner cows also dropped selling at $0.30 to $0.40 per lb. Slaughter bulls held steady between $1.16 and $1.26 per lb.
At the all-breeds sale, there were six weight classes of steer yearlings sold. Prices for steer yearlings weighing 550 to 600 lbs. sold for an average $1.85 per lb. with the highest prices hitting $1.94 per lb. Steer yearlings in the 600 to 650 lb. weight category averaged $1.88 per lb. and sold up to $2.00 per lb., while those weighing 650 to 700 lbs. sold on average at $1.97 per lb. hitting $2.09 per lb. The 700 to 800 lb. steer yearlings averaged $1.99 per lb. reaching $2.14 per lb. Steer yearlings weighing 800 to 900 lbs. sold at an average $1.87 per lb., and sold up to $2.01 per lb. Those weighing over 900 lbs. averaged $1.69 per lb. selling up to $1.85 per lb.
There were seven weight classes of heifer calves and yearlings up for auction. No heifer calves and yearlings under 500 lbs. were sold. Heifer yearlings weighing 500 to 550 lbs. went for an average $1.38 per lb. selling up to $1.47 per lb. Those in the 550 to 600 lb. weight category sold on average at $1.67 per lb. and reached $1.74 per lb., while those weighing 600 to 650 lbs. sold at an average of $1.70 per lb. and reached $1.74 per lb. The heifer yearlings weighing 650 to 700 lbs. averaged $1.67 per lb. and sold up to $1.76 per lb. Heifer yearlings 700 to 800 lbs. sold at an average $1.68 per lb. up to $1.76 per lb., while those 800 to 900 lbs. sold on average at $1.62 per lb. reaching up to $1.66 per lb. Heifer yearlings weighing over 900 lbs. averaged $1.56 per lb. and sold up to $1.60 per lb.
The Assiniboia Livestock Auction will hold its next regular sales for cull cows, bulls and yearlings on August 30, September 13 and September 27 and a pre-sorted all breeds sale for calves and yearlings on September 12 which will be an internet sale.
The extreme heat and dry conditions this summer are expected to have a negative impact on cattle producers this fall. Feed prices could rise due to a decline in yields and shortfalls in hay crops. Last year Western Canadian feedlots exported fewer feeders because feed was plentiful and cheap. This year, higher feed prices in Canada and more plentiful feed becoming available in the U.S. could mean that more cattle could be exported to the U.S. Further, the dry conditions may force producers in hard hit Western Canadian areas to take yearlings off pastures earlier this season. But market watchers haven’t seen a lot of cattle movement yet.
Meanwhile, live cattle futures sank to a nine-month low at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange due to lower seasonal beef demand and lower prices for slaughter cattle. The U.S. is expecting more calves this fall as it has been trying to expand its cattle numbers. In Western Canada, the calf supply is the same as last year, and large numbers are expected to sell this fall due to the drought and greater beef export demand.
