Throughput has been affected by the long weekend. Markets in rain affected areas have reduced in numbers but the majority of the markets outside of these areas have remained equal to the numbers offered last week. Many areas in the grain belt have witnessed decreases in throughput as mixed farmers focus attention to planting. Queensland markets have even shown an increase in numbers for the start to the week taking advantage of the higher prices. Quality has been very mixed with fewer numbers suitable for slaughter. Many have been affected by the colder weather and the change over from dry to green feed. To be expected, demand for better finished lines of cattle has increased.

Prices improve slightly

Good rain over the southern and central regions of Queensland last week followed up by the torrential falls experienced in the Hunter have impacted on prices on the back of last weeks gains. The majority of the prices received at MLA’s NLRS reported sale have been firm to slightly dearer.

The benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) was up 9.5¢ on last Tuesday, to finish at 335.75¢/kg. Across the eastern states, trade steers gained 2¢ to settle at 191.4¢/kg. Japan ox lifted 5¢ to 173.8¢, while cows gained 6¢ on last Tuesday to end at 130¢/kg.

TheCattleSite News Desk