Australian Cattle Markets React to Dry Spell
AUSTRALIA - Quality is varied across finished beef animals although reports suggest a fall this week as sales are lifting to cope with dry conditions.
2 May 2013
2 minute read
Consignments lift due to dry conditions
Total national cattle throughput so far this week has increased 10 per cent , with some states yarding higher numbers after last week’s short trading week and the continuing dry conditions.
Consignments across Queensland dropped 5 per cent , with fewer cattle supplied at most saleyards, while numbers at Roma store remained above 10,000 head for the second consecutive week.
Cattle supply in NSW increased by a quarter, with the majority of sales penning more cattle, as Inverell increased by 59 per cent , while Forbes improved 53 per cent .
Throughput across Victoria was 35 per cent higher, with Camperdown returning to yard 1,000 head after last week’s drop in numbers, while Wodonga lifted by 53 per cent . Numbers in SA were up 50 per cent , while WA’s Muchea declined 20 per cent and Killafaddy in Tasmania decreased 37 per cent .
Strong demand for well-finished cattle
The quality offered mainly varied in most places, with the usual following of buyers present at the majority of sales. It was a firm to cheaper market at Scone this week, with most yearlings best suited to restocker and feeder buyers.
Trade quality young cattle were in short supply and attracted strong demand at Pakenham, while grown steers at Gunnedah were not to the quality of last week. Forbes saw a larger percentage of plainer cattle, with some well-finished cattle attracting strong competition.
Prices vary
At the close of Tuesday’s markets the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) fell by 2? week-on-week to settle at 304.25?/kg cwt. Trade steers were 4? lower on 173?, while medium steers increased substantially by 16?, to average 161?/kg. Feeder steers declined 1? on 163?, while heavy steers lifted 9? to make 174?/kg. Medium cows were 2? lower, averaging 102?/kg.
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