Australia-Cattle markets this week.

Tuesday livestock summary

17/03/2009

Numbers at Tamworth were similar to the previous market. Yearling steers to restockers and feeders sold firm to 5¢/kg dearer. Heifer yearlings to restock and feed sold up to 5¢/kg dearer. Light trade heifer yearlings were up to 15¢/kg dearer on the leaner, fresher lots. Heavyweight grown steers sold 4¢ to 6¢/kg dearer. Cows finished 1¢ to 4¢/kg stronger.

Numbers decreased at Wagga and quality was fair across all grades. Lightweight vealers suitable for restocking were 10¢/kg dearer. Yearling heifers suitable for the trade were 4¢ to 5¢/kg dearer. Feeder steers rose by 5¢/kg and more in places. Grown steers and bullocks finished 11¢/kg dearer. Light and medium weight cows rose by 2¢ to 3¢/kg.

The yarding at Toowoomba lifted which contained a good run of heavyweight steers and bullocks. Yearling steers averaged 183¢/kg. Heavyweight steers to export slaughter improved 11¢ and made from 175¢ to 184¢/kg. Heavy bullocks averaged 4¢ dearer at 178¢/kg. Medium weight 3 score cows made to 134¢ while heavyweights averaged 146¢/kg.

Following Monday’s markets, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator improved 4.5¢ on the previous week to settle at 319¢/kg cwt. The trade steer lost 2¢ – to 168¢ while feeder steers improved a further 2¢ – to 166¢/kg. The Japan ox indicator lifted 4¢ to 170¢ and US cow finished 2¢ dearer at 126¢/kg.

At Dubbo lamb numbers increased and quality was mixed. Lightweights to restockers and feeders sold dearer to range from $55 to $78/head. The better finished medium and heavy trades lifted $4 to sell from $76 to $102/head and averaged from 418¢ to 435¢/kg cwt. Heavy lambs improved much the same as the trades ranging from $94 to $141.50/head or 431¢ to 444¢/kg cwt. Sheep numbers remained similar and values improved $3/head.

At Bendigo there was a larger number of lambs following last week’s public holiday. Trade lambs were $2 to $4 higher to range from $80 to $110, while heavy lambs were dearer and sold from $100 to $127/head. Sheep numbers increased slightly and values improved $5 to $8/head as sheep averaged 210¢ to 255¢/kg cwt for the medium and heavyweights.

At the close of Monday’s markets, the eastern states sheep and lamb indicators were dearer than last week. Restocking lamb was 3¢ higher at 400¢, while Merino lamb jumped 18¢ to 362¢/kg cwt. Light lamb declined 2¢, and trade lamb gained 13¢, ending at 429¢/kg cwt. Heavy lamb lifted 7¢ to 441¢/kg cwt. Mutton was 9¢ higher finishing at 208¢/kg cwt.