Australian Cattle price summaries by region

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 10¢ to 11¢ and cows fell 7¢ to 10¢/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 2¢ to 4¢ and cows were cheaper by 3¢ to 4¢/kg. Young cattle also generally suffered price reductions, however feeder descriptions of yearling steers went against the trend to be firm to 3¢/kg dearer.

Most classes cheaper

Calves to the trade lost 6¢ to average 166¢, and restocker grades were in the largest numbers and fell 17¢ to average 177¢ with some to 228.2¢/kg. Vealer steers mostly sold to feeder operators 4¢ dearer at 188¢, with some B muscle grades going to the trade at 230.2¢/kg. Vealer heifers to the trade were well supplied and the C2s lost 13¢ to average just under 159¢, with a small number of sales to 189.2¢/kg. Medium and heavy weight yearling steers to feed across all markets experienced very little change in value with most sales close to 170¢/kg. Heavy slaughter descriptions fell 5¢ to also average 170¢/kg. Yearling heifers purchased by the trade averaged 4¢ cheaper at 162¢ with a few sales recorded to 180¢/kg.

Medium weight grown steers to feed received very little change in value at 165¢ with sales to 175.2¢/kg. Heavy steers to export slaughter mostly sold around 6¢ cheaper at 163¢/kg. Bullocks lost a similar amount to average 163¢ with a few pens reaching 174.2¢/kg. Medium weight 1 score cows averaged 9¢ less at 99¢ and the 2 scores 7¢ cheaper at 112¢/kg. Good heavy cows made from 128¢ to 145¢ with a large number 5¢ cheaper at 134¢/kg. Heavy bulls made to 152¢ to average 137¢/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 3¢ – to 171¢/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 4¢ to 162¢/kg.

Prices ease for grown cattle

Medium weight C2 vealer steers sold to 176¢ to average 168.7¢ whilst those to restockers ranged from 158¢ to a top of 232¢/kg. Lightweight C2 vealer heifers averaged 167.4¢ whilst the medium weights ranged from 149.2¢ to 182.2¢ to average 167.7¢/kg. The C3 vealer heifers improved 6c to average 184¢ with sales to 200¢/kg. Lightweight C2 yearling steers to restockers ranged from 151¢ to 190¢ whilst medium weights topped at 194¢ to average 176¢/kg. Medium weights to feeders improved 2¢ to average close to 169¢/kg. Lightweight C2 yearling heifers to feeders ranged from 130¢ to 167.2¢ to average 151.8¢/kg. Heavyweights to slaughter improved 2¢ after selling to a top of 190¢ to average 159¢/kg.

Medium weight C3 grown steers to slaughter lost 6¢ to after making to 172¢ to average close to 151¢/kg. Heavyweight C muscles to slaughter ranged from 138¢ to 176¢ to average close to 6¢/kg cheaper. Well conditioned C muscled bullocks topped at 168¢ to average 6¢/kg cheaper. Medium weight C3 grown heifers ranged from 123.2¢ to 165.8¢ to average 146.7¢/kg. Medium weight D2 cows lost 5¢ to average 112¢/kg. Well conditioned heavyweights ranged from 112¢ to 142¢ to finish close to 3¢/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 172¢ and 211¢, with isolated sales rising to 231¢/kg at the SA LE, as most sales lifted 2¢ to 6¢/kg. Feeder and restocker orders secured the balance mainly between 166¢ and 202¢ at rates 4¢ to 20¢/kg more. Vealer heifer sales were generally 1¢ to 11¢ dearer as most sold to trade and feeder activity between 145¢ and 196¢, with once again isolated sales reaching 226¢/kg. Most heavy yearling steers finished with the trade at rates 1¢ to 12¢ dearer, and mainly between 155¢ and 194¢/kg. Feeder<