Australia-Cattle markets today's prices.

Thursday livestock summary

19/03/2009

Recent improved prices at Dalby resulted in the largest offering for the year. Overall quality was generally good with large runs of heavy cows and bullocks. Medium weight yearling steers to feeders held firm while heavyweights to the trade sold to 183¢/kg. Export grade steers lost 11¢ to 12¢/kg. Cows were 2¢ to 4¢/kg easier for the better condition grades, while the plainer classes remained firm to dearer.

Numbers at Casino remained stable with a reduction in young cattle and a lift in grown cattle. Yearlings were slightly dearer as the lightweights to slaughter made from 146¢ to 165¢/kg. Grown steers ranged from 2¢ to 5¢ cheaper while bullocks were less affected. Heavyweight C4 grown steers averaged 161.9¢/kg. Medium and heavyweight cows were 4¢ to 6¢/kg easier while lightweights held firm.

Supply at Warrnambool increased and quality was mixed. Trade yearling steers improved 1¢ to 10¢ and the medium weight C3 yearling steers sold from 156¢ to 185¢ to average 176.6¢/kg. Medium weight grown steers eased 5¢ while C muscled prime steers made 150¢ to 171¢/kg. Heavyweight C3 cows made 124¢ to 138¢ averaging 135.4¢/kg.

At the conclusion of Wednesday’s markets, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) improved 2.5¢ – to 319.25¢/kg cwt. The trade steer indicator lost 1¢ – to 170¢ while feeder steers lifted 1¢ to settle at 166¢/kg. Japan ox remained firm at 166¢ and US cow rose 2¢ to finish at 127¢/kg.

At Hamilton lamb supply was reduced and quality was mixed. Lightweight lambs attracted very keen restocker inquiry and values lifted from $2 to $5 as most sold from $48 to $78.60/head. Trade lambs were $4 to $8 dearer and sold from $83 to $118/head to average 445¢/kg cwt. Heavy lambs sold between $102 and $128 to be $3 to $5 dearer with the few extra heavy pens selling to $138/head to average around 450¢/kg cwt.

At the close of Wednesday’s markets, the eastern states sheep and lamb indicators were dearer than last week. Restocking lambs lifted 21¢ to 416¢, and Merino lamb was 34¢ higher at 370¢/kg cwt. Light lamb gained 32¢ finishing at 392¢ while trade lamb was 19¢ dearer at 437¢/kg cwt. Heavy lamb was up 14¢ to 446¢/kg cwt. Mutton climbed 28¢ to 220¢/kg cwt.