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Mixed Angus and Hereford Heifers been on Silage last month - To view full listing details click here
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Coparella Toompine Rd Quilpie QLD
Coparella is offered to you by Public Auction on the 24th o f March 2010 at Roma Explorers Inn ,- To view full listing details click her
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Further rain fires grass market
Heavy rain across the NT, western and southern Queensland (now moving to inland NSW) has again boosted demand for young restocker cattle, calves, cows and ewes.
The EYCI reached 344.5¢/kg cwt, up a further 5.75¢ on last week, and a rise of 24% since December’s low. Similarly, cow prices have lifted 23% since December, to 276¢/kg cwt. Part of this week’s rises have been caused by the difficulty in moving cattle to market, with Queensland yardings at MLA’s NLRS reported yards halving this week, and the national total down 22%.
Mutton sheep prices jumped a further 12¢ this week, to a record 345¢/kg cwt – again matching the EYCI.
In contrast, trade and heavy lamb prices fell 3-5% this week, with a rise in yardings, lift in quality and the closure of Castricums. Lamb prices may yet have an unusual decline this autumn, as some of the lambs retained over the past three months (particularly male lambs) come back to the market (in good condition and at heavier weights).
If at least average autumn rains are received in southern states (as is now being predicted), many more ewes and ewe lambs are likely to be retained for breeding purposes. If the good summer breeding season is followed up with good autumn pastures and water supplies, the long and rapid sheep flock liquidation could end this year
Cattle summary - 5/03/2010
Weekly cattle throughput varies
Cattle throughput across the nation’s saleyards continues to be dictated by seasonal conditions.
In Queensland this week, yardings were down 66% on last week as monsoon conditions brought stock transportation to a near standstill. Both Roma prime and store sales were cancelled and moved to a smaller combined sale on Friday, with flood waters encroaching the town on Wednesday. The Dalby and Moreton sales also saw reduced yardings due to rain, falling 90% and 37%, respectively.
NSW has also seen supply tighten with numbers at Casino, Gunnedah, Inverell and Wagga all dropping significantly. The good seasonal conditions have not only seen a reduction in numbers at yards, but have increased demand from restockers looking to rebuild after an extended period of drought.
These factors, along with strong competition and higher prices at physical markets have seen a number of processors and lotfeeders head south to secure suitable lines of cattle. Some processors in Queensland have been forced to operate at reduced capacity due to road closures preventing transport of stock. Supply is expected to remain tight for the coming weeks. When numbers begin to pick up, it is expected those presented will be in excellent condition.
Despite lower numbers in the north of the country, Victoria and SA saw an increase in throughput this week in the anticipation of the public holiday next Monday. In the south of WA, numbers continue to dwindle as the season remains hot and dry and most of the season’s vealers have been sold.
Prices still on the up
The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) finished Thursday’s markets at 344.5¢, a rise of 5.75¢/kg cwt on last week. The driving force continues to be tighter supplies and strong competition from restocker’s motivated by an improved seasonal outlook.
Most of the other eastern states indicators also continued to improve. Trade steers rose 3¢ to 181¢/kg lwt. US cows finished at 134¢, a gain of 3¢/kg, with Japan ox the only indicator to fall for the week, down 1¢ to 175¢/kg lwt.
Western Australia hot and dry
Cattle numbers presented at WA markets have fallen in recent weeks as most of this seasons vealers have been sold, subsequently Great Southern returns to a single combined sale this Thursday. Seasonal conditions continue to deteriorate, with feed conditions severely worsened by hot and dry weather along with diminishing dam levels.
Prices remain mixed as the number of young cattle slips. A number of orders from the south of the state have headed east for restocking purposes in addition to reasonably sized live export consignments.
Despite strong competition on some consignments of trade cattle, quality remains a limiting factor. Vealer steers to restockers at Midland this week topped at 175¢/kg lwt to average 160¢, while those going to lotfeeders averaged 152¢ to make between 145¢ and 160¢/kg lwt.
At Midland on Tuesday the supply of cows was limited, resulting in strong competition. Lighter conditioned cows saw strong competition with those to processors up 5¢/kg lwt.
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State of the state - Queensland - 5/03/2010
Rain, followed by more rain, has provided a major boost to a large portion of the cattle producing areas across Queensland.
Apart from some isolated strips of dry country, most of the grazing districts are experiencing the best season in a number of years, with reports of grass as high as the fence in a number of places. In the far western corner, Birdsville experienced floods through the channels late last year and this has continued into the New Year, with some areas receiving record rains.
Persistent rain across the Maranoa region continues to prevent the movement of many cattle, with the Roma prime sale being postponed on four occasions so far this year. Once the ground is dry enough to shift stock, the recent price rises are likely to entice larger numbers onto the market.
Supply at Mareeba doubled recently, with producers being able to move stock following the rains earlier in the year. However, the overall supply of slaughter stock remains tight, with some processors losing two to three kill days a week due to the shortage of stock.
The good season is producing optimism in the store market and restocker grades have continued to climb in value. Nevertheless, feeder operators remained the dominant buyers in a number of markets, displaying urgency to keep feeding pens full. This trend has escalated in recent weeks, with a couple of major suppliers to the local trade market experiencing a shortfall in supply. Despite the large numbers of yearling heifers penned, feedlots were able to absorb the increase in supply, plus in some markets lifted the buying rates.
Export grades of heavy steers and bullocks have experienced a steady rise in value since the recommencement of operations following the Christmas break. Supplementary fed full mouth bullocks have not been penalised and enjoyed prices only a few cents short of the four and six tooth categories. Cows have also experienced solid demand with those in the lower fat score ranges receiving strong competition from restockers as well as processors.
The sorghum harvest is well underway and the market is struggling to find any strength as grain prices are still being pressured from worldwide excess grain stocks. Barley from southern regions is being trucked onto the downs at cheaper levels.
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