Australia-Cattle markets full report.
Monday livestock summary
16/03/2009
The 69th annual mountain weaner calf sales kicked off in Omeo and Benambra (Victoria) last Tuesday. There was just over 5,600 cattle offered, primarily Angus, Hereford and their crosses, to a large contingent of buyers. It was a slightly larger yarding when compared to last year, while the condition of the cattle offered was not to the standard of recent years.
Lightweight Angus weaner steers ranged from $300, to a top of $420/head. The large run of medium weight Angus weaner steers ranged mostly from $470 to $487/head, with estimated liveweight prices of 196¢ to 202¢/kg. The heavy Angus weaner steers averaged $604/head, or around 200¢/kg lwt.
Light Angus weaner heifers sold mostly from $311 to $323/head, with liveweight prices in the high 170¢/kg range. Most of the medium weight Angus weaner heifers made from $394 to $416/head.
Medium weight Hereford weaner steers averaged an estimated 193¢/kg lwt, after most sold between $485 to $495/head. The heavyweights sold around $611/head, or 192¢/kg lwt. Hereford cross Angus lightweight weaner heifers made from $294 to $307/head, as liveweight prices ranged from 166¢ to 183¢/kg.
At the close of Friday’s markets, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) rose 6.25¢ from the previous Friday to 318.5¢/kg cwt. Japan Ox and medium steers rose 5¢ to 168.7¢ and 156.5¢/kg respectively. The US cow indicator was 2¢ higher at 125.4¢/kg.
Sheep yardings at MLA’s NLRS reported markets in WA were 76% higher than a fortnight ago (as trading returned to a full week following last fortnights public holiday). Intense competition from processors, live exporters and restockers is still encouraging producers to use the physical market system. The lean towards cropping is also placing more sheep on the market.
Due to the hot and dry conditions experienced this summer, heavy lamb supply declined 16% compared to the summer in 2007/08. Heavy lamb prices averaged 87¢/kg cwt higher than the previous summer. Tighter supplies of heavy lambs encouraged rates to rise, particularly towards the end of summer. Export buyers are competing strongly on heavy lambs in order to secure adequate supplies of lambs for the Easter trading period in the US.
At the close of Friday’s markets the eastern states sheep and lamb indicators experienced a mixed trend from the following week. Light lamb slipped 2¢ ending at 370¢, while trade lamb gained 8¢ settling at 425¢/kg cwt. Heavy lamb improved 6¢ to 440¢/kg cwt. Mutton was 3¢ higher at 202¢/kg cwt.
