Processors Increase Cow Purchases

AUSTRALIA - Total eastern states throughput of cows at saleyards reported by Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service has increased 11 per cent so far this in spring.
calendar icon 16 October 2012
clock icon 2 minute read
Meat & Livestock Australia

The continuation of the dry weather has forced producers to assess stocking rates and available feed levels, accentuated by neutral rainfall forecasts through to the end of the year. While producers in the past few years have been focusing on herd rebuilding, the run of drier months has placed pressure upon producers to offload more of their dry cows.

Queensland has registered a nine per cent year-on-year increase since the start of spring in cows purchased for slaughter. There has been greater competition between processors for the better quality cows, despite the larger numbers available at physical markets. The processor demand has helped to support prices at the majority of saleyards, with Dalby selling medium cows for 147¢/kg lwt on average.

New South Wales has experienced a 20 per cent increase in cow supply with the majority purchased by processors this spring. Victoria climbed 11 per cent with dairy cows accounting for 53 per cent of the total throughput at physical markets - up two per cent on the corresponding period last year. South Australia lifted by just three per cent in comparison to the same period last year.

Over-the-hooks rates for heavy cows (320+kgs) have been relatively firm during spring, with rates across NSW and Queensland averaging 289¢/kg cwt and 279¢/kg cwt, respectively. Victorian cow rates averaged 275¢/kg cwt, as processors continue to be more active across all eastern states.

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