Cattle prices up across the board since last fall

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Despite tough weather conditions, the annual open spring cattle sale was a success on Saturday.
While the weather made driving to the sales barn treacherous Saturday morning, the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association (RRCA) had to contend with freezing water at the sales barn. But they managed and when the day was done, they sold 1,633 head of cattle!
Kim Jo Bliss, of RRCA, said it was a good day with prices being “fair to strong.” With many of the head going to eastern Ontario, Bliss said one has to remember that the prices reflect that. “It costs about 8-9¢ per pound to get them there.”
The sale started with straight cull animals. These are animals that are sold and then go straight to slaughter. They then moved into feeder cattle with over 1,000 yearlings being sold. Bliss said there were many fall calves which is something that a lot of local producers have switched to. “They eat a little grass and are ready for food,” explained Bliss. After that some breeding bulls were auctioned off.
With prices high at the grocery stores for beef, Bliss said that farmers are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. “Even though they are getting better prices than they did last fall, it has been bad for so long, it is going to take time for them to come up out of it (the tough times),” said Bliss on Monday.
There were two major buyers from western Canada and two from the east. However, there were also local guys bidding on cattle. “That is good for prices and makes for a good sale!” said Bliss.
Bliss said that Stratton’s sales are almost always on par with larger sales centers like Winnipeg. “They are strong and since last fall prices have risen across the board. Things are on the up and up!”