Prices mixed as yardings drop 11%
03 August 2012
Cattle prices were largely mixed this week, a combination of reduced buyer demand across selected categories and an 11% decline in throughput at MLA’s NLRS reported saleyards.
The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) lifted 1.25¢ week-on-week, to finish Thursday at 388.25¢/kg cwt. The EYCI in recent weeks edged above the corresponding period last year, averaging 383¢/kg cwt for July – up 2% year-on-year.
A reported boost in demand for trade steers helped prices to remain at 391¢/kg cwt, with a larger number of supplementary fed lines starting to hit the market. Medium steers dropped 18¢, to 329¢/kg cwt. Heavy steers slipped 1¢, to average 344¢/kg cwt, while feeder steers lifted 2¢ to make 208¢/kg lwt.
Medium cows declined 10¢ this week, to 278¢/kg cwt.