Post-Easter Livestock Price Falls
AUSTRALIA - After successive short trading weeks, livestock market prices eased back this week. Cattle prices fell across all categories, as numbers lifted eight per cent and quality became more mixed.
23 April 2010
1 minute read
Restocker and feeder demand remains strong, with most young cattle and any light cows returning to the paddock or into feedlots.
Russian buying has kicked for manufacturing grade product and cheaper cuts this month, forcing Japan and US buyers to raise quotes. With Argentine exports likely to remain under tight government controls, Russia could become a price-driver for this product over the April to September period – their traditional meat-importing season – holding up prices for cows especially, but also influencing trimming values off steers and heifers.
Lamb and sheep prices also declined this week, except for the restocker lamb category, which continues to reflect low numbers and high restocker demand. Mutton sheep values came off last week’s record, though they remain 50 per cent above a year ago.
The direction of lamb and sheep prices over the coming month depends critically on the weather. The good start to autumn will quickly dissipate if the current dry and warm conditions continue through May. This would see lamb and sheep turn-off rise and values slip. Alternatively, good rains, as the Bureau of Meteorology expects in NSW over the next three months, would see a continuation of the current high prices.
TheCattleSite News Desk
