Weekly Market Report: Dairy Cull Cattle and Calf Prices – Week of April 21, 2025

By
Tanya Eadie
-
230

Cull Cattle Prices – Quebec Auctions

Cull dairy cow prices in Quebec saw moderate increases this week, with average prices up in most weight classes and locations.

  • Overall average for dairy cull cows (excluding Bic auction): $1.55/lb, up $0.05 from last week.

  • Heavier cows (>1500 lbs) earned the highest average at $1.62/lb, while lighter cows (<1100 lbs) averaged $1.45/lb.

  • Beef-type cows brought stronger returns than dairy types, averaging $1.75/lb, with large-framed cows over 1500 lbs topping $1.91/lb, up $0.13.

Auction Highlights:

  • St-Hyacinthe: Largest volume (665 head); dairy cows averaged $1.61/lb, beef cows $1.81/lb.

  • Sawyerville: Notable gains in lighter dairy cows; overall dairy average $1.62/lb.

  • Danville: Highest dairy average this week at $1.67/lb, despite low volume.

  • La Guadeloupe: The only auction to see a drop in dairy prices, averaging $1.33/lb.

Reference Markets:

  • No cattle sold at Ontario’s OLEX or Ottawa auctions.

  • In the U.S., Pennsylvania prices rose slightly to $1.38/lb (CAD equivalent).

Dairy Calf Market – Quebec & Regional

Quebec’s dairy calf market was strong this week, with rising prices across all regions and categories. A total of 3,179 calves were sold at live auctions, averaging $15.54/lb, up $2.20 from the previous week.

By Location:

  • St-Hyacinthe: Highest volume (1,385 calves), averaging $15.60/lb (+$1.95).

  • Sawyerville: Strongest price increase, up $2.32 to $15.16/lb.

  • Danville: More modest gain, average price $13.71/lb (+$0.33).

By Calf Type:

  • Good Holstein male calves (90–120 lb): Averaged $14.65/lb, up $3.08.

  • Crossbred dairy-beef males (90–120 lb): Highest average at $18.55/lb, up $2.05.

  • Crossbred dairy-beef females: Averaged $15.77/lb, up $1.95.

Other Regions:

  • Eastern Ontario: Averaged $15.07/lb, up $2.62.

  • Pennsylvania (U.S.): Good male calves dropped slightly to $12.67/lb CAD equivalent.

Summary:

  • Cull cow prices are stable to rising, especially for heavier and beef-type animals.

  • Calf markets are very strong, with good demand driving up prices across the board.

  • Producers may benefit from selling at optimal weights and tracking auction trends to time their sales.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR