NSW cattle summary
03 February 2012
Yardings steady
Despite the rain, cattle supplies at the physical markets reported by MLA’s NLRS managed to increase 8% with a return to a full selling week. However, rainfall meant most selling centres penned fewer cattle than the previous week. Gunnedah, Inverell and Wagga were the affected the most by the wet weather – as producers opted to hold cattle with the rain giving hope to a favourable autumn season. Dubbo returned to selling after a fortnight off, throughput was lower due to the rainfall in the western region. With supplies tightening after the rain competition lifted, and the cheaper price trend of the past fortnight was arrested.
Quality was particularly mixed, with a higher proportion of secondary lightweight cattle. Certain markets such as Wagga and Scone reported a lift in quality, with producers keen to take advantage of the slightly more upbeat prices. Grown cattle numbers were back, although the quality and general condition did not deteriorate like the young cattle. Cow numbers were good and heavyweight lines are reflecting the seasonal conditions, carrying plenty of fat cover.
Apart from decreasing supplies, the rain also served to reignite restocker interest state wide. This was evident as a solid amount of vealers and yearlings of all weights returned to the paddock. Feeder demand was inconsistent after several major highways leading to Southern Queensland were cut, with consigned cattle unable to be trucked. Direct to works prices took another hit as export processors show less interest given the climbing A$ and slow start to the year for beef demand.
Competition drives prices
Store vealer steers selling to restocker competition were up to 6¢ dearer with most pens ranging from 242¢ to 263¢/kg. Vealer heifers to restockers gained 2¢ overall and generally sold from 226¢ to 235¢/kg. The better covered medium vealer heifers to processors were firm on 232¢ as the heavier pens averaged 224¢/kg. Light yearling steers to background and restock were firm, selling from 226¢ to 216¢/kg. Feeder steers were back in quality and sold to a firm trend, with the medium weights averaging 216¢ and the heavier liens 195¢/kg. Lightweight yearling heifer prices to restockers topped at 224¢ and averaged 202¢/kg. Medium yearling heifers to feed were 11¢ dearer on 201¢, while the better quality heavy C3 pens to the trade settled on 202¢/kg.
A higher proportion of grown steers sold to feeders as the medium weight drafts averaged 6¢ cheaper on 185¢/kg with demand more selective. The better quality heavy pens were up to 8¢ dearer with the C4 steers averaging 185¢/kg. Bullock prices also lifted 8¢ - to settle around 185¢/kg or $1,155/head. Medium weight cow were 10¢ higher on 147¢/kg. The large number of heavy D4 pens topped at 162¢ and averaged 6¢ higher at 151¢/kg.
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