Australian Daily Livestock Summary
AUSTRALIA - Over the hook rates for cattle across the eastern states held relatively unchanged except for a couple of slight increases to cow rates in NSW and Victoria.
30 January 2007
2 minute read
After Monday sales there was a lift in young cattle prices with the EYCI gaining 4¢ from last week to stand at 314¢/kg cwt. The trade and feeder steer both lifted 1¢ to finish at 172.7¢ and 169¢/kg respectively. Japan Ox and US cow also gained 5¢ and 2¢ to stand 180.3¢ and 121.3¢/kg respectively.
At Toowoomba numbers eased back and there was also a large slip in quality. Export slaughter grades of steers and bullocks lost 5¢ to 7¢, while cows fell by around 8¢/kg. The heavy end of the yearling steers and heifers met strong inquiry to show some small gains in places, however the medium and lightweight lines tended to lose ground.
With between 20 to 30mm of rain over the Tamworth district numbers were well down. The young cattle market is still being underpinned by northern feedlot buyers as they continue to fill holes in feed pens brought about by lower availability in Queensland. The market trend for young cattle was firm to slightly dearer. Trade yearlings sold dearer, up 1¢ to 4¢/kg, with limited numbers of local butcher shop cattle available.
Over the hook lamb rates soared in SA and Victoria following the dearer saleyard trend last week. In SA trade lambs were up to 350¢ with Victorian trade and heavy lambs topping between 350¢ and 370¢/kg cwt. There is a general concern that trade weights will be harder to source in a couple of week’s time however heavy weight are not expected to be as affected with steady supply of these from feedlots.
Bendigo yarded a larger offering of 35,000 head as producers responded to last week’s improved prices. Prices opened up to $4 to $5/head easier for heavy lambs but as the sale progressed, demand improved to average close to fully equal over nearly all classes. Trade lambs made from 340¢ to 350¢ with heavy lambs at 320¢/kg cwt. Sheep numbers also increased and contained a very good selection of mutton weights and grades. Prices averaged $2 to $5/head dearer with just some very light 1 score ewe mutton unchanged to easier. Trade and heavy mutton made from 150¢ to 170¢/kg cwt.
All eastern states lamb indicators escalated after Monday sales. Restocker and Merino lambs jumped 53¢ and 23¢ to stand at 301¢ and 227¢/kg cwt respectively. Light and trade lambs gained 40¢ and 35¢ to finish at 300¢ and 344¢ respectively whilst heavy lambs rose 23¢ to stand at 330¢/kg cwt. Finally mutton lifted 18¢ from last week to finish at 135¢/kg cwt
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