Thursday’s livestock summary
7/05/2009
The cooler weather at Dalby and minimal rainfall initiated higher numbers. Calves and vealers were 2ยข to 6ยข cheaper and yearling heifers to the trade lost 4ยข/kg. Yearling steers to restockers met strong demand, averaging 181ยข/kg. Heavy steers and bullocks to export slaughter averaged 2ยข to 3ยข easier, and cows lost most of the previous weeks improvement to be cheaper by 4ยข to 6ยข to top at 142ยข/kg.
Numbers remained steady at Casino and quality was mixed. Vealer steers to restockers reached 174ยข/kg. The limited supply of yearlings sold according to quality as prices reached 154ยข/kg. The yarding of export cattle was made up mainly of cows. Medium weight D3 cows averaged 125ยข with sales to 131ยข/kg.
Extra cattle were offered at Warrnambool with all grades represented. Young cattle sold 3ยข to 4ยข/kg easier whilst yearling heifers to feeders held firm. Heavy steers and bullocks eased 7ยข while the heifer portion held firm at 146ยข/kg. Cows slipped 4ยข to 5ยข/kg. The medium and heavy D3 and D4 beef cows ranged from 122ยข to 135ยข/kg.
At the conclusion of Wednesday markets the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) finished 2.5ยข cheaper than the previous week to settle at 313.75ยข/kg. The trade steer indicator improved 4ยข โ to 177ยข while feeder steers held firm at 169ยข/kg. Both Japan ox and US cow held firm to settle at 163ยข and 122ยข/kg respectively.
At Hamilton the resumption to a one day sale witnessed numbers rise as the offering was mixed. Overall prices for lambs were unchanged for trade weights as most sold between $85 to $111/head and averaged around 463ยข/kg cwt. Heavy lambs were a little easier and sold from $104 to $115/head and averaged 455ยข/kg cwt. Sheep sold $4 to $5/head lower as most averaged from 230ยข to 285ยข.
At the conclusion of Wednesday’s markets the eastern states sheep and lamb indicators experienced a mixed trend from last week. Restocking lamb was 4ยข cheaper at 415ยข, while Merino lambs lost 2ยข, settling at 379ยข/kg cwt. Light lamb gained 5ยข to 390ยข and trade lamb lifted 8ยข ending at 462ยข/kg cwt. Heavy lamb jumped 10ยข to 463ยข/kg cwt. Mutton declined 4ยข to 254ยข/kg cwt.