Queensland
Supply climbed in the north
The supply of at stock varied at markets in the south of the state. However in the north as the country dries out numbers at Mareeba more than doubled. A similar trend developed at Longreach where supply almost doubled compared to the previous market two weeks ago. There was a good consignment of local cattle and some lots from as far away as Alice Springs, although western cattle were still only in small numbers. Overall supply at physical markets covered by MLA’s NLRS lifted 25%.
The annual trend of a climb in numbers continued at Warwick and reached a yearly record with large numbers of calves being weaned straight into the saleyards. The previous large yarding at occurred in early April 2008, and a record number came forward in April 2007. Young cattle at early week markets received strong support while lesser quality lines allowed average prices to ease. Buyer representation was good although lacked support from some processors in the export section, and steers and bullocks lost 10ยข to 11ยข and cows fell 7ยข to 10ยข/kg.
Following falls in value of the previous week a reduced number of stock came forward, and was offered to a full field of buyers at Dalby. Despite all the export buyers back in the market and operating values for steers and bullocks fell a further 2ยข to 4ยข and cows were cheaper by 3ยข to 4ยข/kg. Young cattle also generally suffered price reductions, however feeder descriptions of yearling steers went against the trend to be firm to 3ยข/kg dearer.
Most classes cheaper
Calves to the trade lost 6ยข to average 166ยข, and restocker grades were in the largest numbers and fell 17ยข to average 177ยข with some to 228.2ยข/kg. Vealer steers mostly sold to feeder operators 4ยข dearer at 188ยข, with some B muscle grades going to the trade at 230.2ยข/kg. Vealer heifers to the trade were well supplied and the C2s lost 13ยข to average just under 159ยข, with a small number of sales to 189.2ยข/kg. Medium and heavy weight yearling steers to feed across all markets experienced very little change in value with most sales close to 170ยข/kg. Heavy slaughter descriptions fell 5ยข to also average 170ยข/kg. Yearling heifers purchased by the trade averaged 4ยข cheaper at 162ยข with a few sales recorded to 180ยข/kg.
Medium weight grown steers to feed received very little change in value at 165ยข with sales to 175.2ยข/kg. Heavy steers to export slaughter mostly sold around 6ยข cheaper at 163ยข/kg. Bullocks lost a similar amount to average 163ยข with a few pens reaching 174.2ยข/kg. Medium weight 1 score cows averaged 9ยข less at 99ยข and the 2 scores 7ยข cheaper at 112ยข/kg. Good heavy cows made from 128ยข to 145ยข with a large number 5ยข cheaper at 134ยข/kg. Heavy bulls made to 152ยข to average 137ยข/kg.
New South Wales
Young cattle spark rise in throughput
Total yardings at MLA’s NLRS reported saleyards jumped 8%. The larger yarding was heavily encouraged by a 26% and 28% influx of numbers at Inverell and Gunnedah respectively. With throughput easing the previous week due to weekend rain coinciding with the rising prices, producers have been encouraged to offload cattle as cooler temperatures become more apparent. The deteriorating season in Goulbourn also initiated further throughput with a 35% increase.
With winter approaching, young cattle made up the majority of yardings with a seasonal influx of throughput. Yearling steers to physical markets increased 26% as feeders and restockers captured 20% and 33% more respectively than the previous week.
Contradicting the larger yardings was a 30% drop in grown steers offered. Steers purchased by feeders dropped by more than half whilst those to processors slipped 20%. Similar numbers of cows were yarded; whilst less went to restockers and dairy, processors captured a larger share.
Prices received for young cattle improved across the board, influenced by strong restocker and feeder competition. The added luxury of good pastures in central and northern NSW and Queensland, sparked restocker action to encourage the NSW yearling steer indicator 3ยข โ to 171ยข/kg.
Grown cattle however have gone against the recent trend with rates falling across the majority of markets. The rise in the A$ and less pressure on buyers to secure supply than in previous weeks were the underlying factors contributing to the cheaper trend as the NSW Japan ox indicator dropped 4ยข to 162ยข/kg.
Prices ease for grown cattle
Medium weight C2 vealer steers sold to 176ยข to average 168.7ยข whilst those to restockers ranged from 158ยข to a top of 232ยข/kg. Lightweight C2 vealer heifers averaged 167.4ยข whilst the medium weights ranged from 149.2ยข to 182.2ยข to average 167.7ยข/kg. The C3 vealer heifers improved 6c to average 184ยข with sales to 200ยข/kg. Lightweight C2 yearling steers to restockers ranged from 151ยข to 190ยข whilst medium weights topped at 194ยข to average 176ยข/kg. Medium weights to feeders improved 2ยข to average close to 169ยข/kg. Lightweight C2 yearling heifers to feeders ranged from 130ยข to 167.2ยข to average 151.8ยข/kg. Heavyweights to slaughter improved 2ยข after selling to a top of 190ยข to average 159ยข/kg.
Medium weight C3 grown steers to slaughter lost 6ยข to after making to 172ยข to average close to 151ยข/kg. Heavyweight C muscles to slaughter ranged from 138ยข to 176ยข to average close to 6ยข/kg cheaper. Well conditioned C muscled bullocks topped at 168ยข to average 6ยข/kg cheaper. Medium weight C3 grown heifers ranged from 123.2ยข to 165.8ยข to average 146.7ยข/kg. Medium weight D2 cows lost 5ยข to average 112ยข/kg. Well conditioned heavyweights ranged from 112ยข to 142ยข to finish close to 3ยข/kg cheaper.
South Australia
Numbers decline
The SA LE yard fell substantially after their virtual double sale the previous Monday, while Naracoorte also recorded reduced numbers. Mt. Gambier’s similar numbered yarding had some agents stating that numbers are definitely on the decline in that region. After last week’s dearer trend on Millicent’s magnificent bean finished yearlings there was an increase sized yarding.
The SA LE’s quality was quite mixed, and also featured 110 lightweight pastoral bred steers and heifers that were sold on a dollar per head basis. The usual buyers were operating as all categories sold to strong competition at generally dearer levels. Feeder orders from the Mid North and Adelaide Plains were keen to source good numbers of suitable cattle, as a shortage of stock to feed on may come sooner than later. Small numbers of vealers were keenly sourced by local butchers and wholesalers. The majority of the yarding consisted of yearling steers and heifers that sold to a mixture of orders. Cow prices improved on small runs despite the varying quality available.
Naracoorte’s yarding attracted a generally dearer trend, and featured some excellent quality supplementary fed yearlings with magnificent supplementary fed yearlings creating the strongest competition. Feeder and restocker orders were very active and sourced a wide range of weights.
Mt Gambier’s quality was quite mixed and tended to sell to an erratically priced sale, even though most categories tended to attract a dearer trend.
Millicent’s increased numbered yarding again featured bean finished yearlings that attracted spirited bidding from Victorian wholesalers.
Generally dearer trends
< align="justify"> The trade sourced most vealers steers at rates between 172ยข and 211ยข, with isolated sales rising to 231ยข/kg at the SA LE, as most sales lifted 2ยข to 6ยข/kg. Feeder and restocker orders secured the balance mainly between 166ยข and 202ยข at rates 4ยข to 20ยข/kg more. Vealer heifer sales were generally 1ยข to 11ยข dearer as most sold to trade and feeder activity between 145ยข and 196ยข, with once again isolated sales reaching 226ยข/kg. Most heavy yearling steers finished with the trade at rates 1ยข to 12ยข dearer, and mainly between 155ยข and 194ยข/kg. Feeder<