Cattle market alert
06 March 2013
Numbers decline due to rain in the north
Total national cattle throughput so far this week declined 16% with the majority of saleyards yarding fewer cattle. Large reductions were reported at Queensland with some sales cancelled due to the wet weather, while transport movements were also affected across the south. Numbers in NSW were steady in relation to this time last week despite fewer cattle sold through CTLX, although Wagga had 33% more cattle penned. Victoria was the only selling centre to yard more cattle as the continual dry weather had enticed producers to offload, with Pakenham yarding more grown cattle, while processor interest was high for both beef and dairy cows. Consignments in SA declined 8%.
Plain lines still dominate
Quality across saleyards remains plain with the odd well finished lines scattered through markets, receiving higher prices. The reduction in supply in some key saleyards has seen restocker and feeder buyers keen to secure light and medium weight lines, while processor interest also lifted across the eastern states.
Prices strengthen
At the close of Tuesday’s markets the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) lifted 3.5¢ in comparison to the same time last week; making 338.5¢/kg cwt. Trade steers were relatively unchanged on 189¢, while the medium steer indicator increased 2¢ on 171¢/kg. The heavy steer indicator increased 6¢ on 182¢, while medium cows settled on 130¢, up 3¢/kg. Feeder steers averaged 182¢/kg.