QLD cattle summary
03 February 2012
Floods disrupted supply
Rainfall was light across the farming areas of the south-east corner of the state, however flooding rain in Western districts dramatically decreased the flow of stock. In a number of areas cattle movements have come to a complete stop. Both the Roma store and prime sales were cancelled due to the flooded roads, and heavy rain in central Queensland has also cancelled a number of sales. Supply in Toowoomba reduced to around half of the previous weeks level, and only scattered falls of rain around Warwick supply fell by 20%, while numbers at Dalby was reduced by 42%.
There was a lift in overall standard in the reduced supply with some good quality bullocks penned and most of the cows were in the 3 and 4 score condition. A fair panel of buyers was present at most markets and the majority were operating. Values for young cattle generally turned around from the cheaper prices experienced the previous week with light and medium weight slaughter lines gaining 2¢ to 3¢/kg. Lightweight lines of yearling steers and heifers to feed generally sold to strong demand. Medium weights to feed also generally met fair competition nevertheless in places some lines struggled to maintain a firm trend. However, heavy yearling steers to feed suffered price reductions of up to10¢/kg in places.
Heavy steers and bullocks to export slaughter commenced the week on a dearer trend. By mid week at Dalby demand tended to falter, while average prices lifted 2¢ but this was against a large fall of 15¢/kg experienced the previous sale. Cow values followed a similar trend and while prices improved in places, overall demand was erratic.
Exports slightly dearer
Calves to restockers sold to 244¢ and most of the slaughter lines sold around 229¢/kg. Vealer steers returning to the paddock averaged 243¢ and made to 246.2¢/kg. Vealer heifers to local and southern processors averaged 216¢ with a few sales to 239.2¢/kg. Lightweight yearling steers to feed and restockers averaged in the mid-230¢/kg range and both classes sold to 251.2¢/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged from 215¢ to 218¢ with the occasional well bred line making to 236.2¢, while heavy weight feeders struggled to average 190¢/kg. Lightweight yearling heifers improved 4¢ to 8¢ with most sales from 212¢ to 216¢/kg. Medium weights to feed met good demand to average 210¢ and slaughter lines improved by 12¢ to average 209¢ with sales to 226.2¢/kg.
Heavy steers and bullocks to export slaughter mostly sold around 188¢ while a fair supply of bullocks averaged 2¢ better at 186¢/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows averaged 128¢ and 3¢ scores 145¢ while the better 4 scores generally sold around 154¢/kg. Good heavy cows made to a very isolated 178.2¢ with a fairly good selection improving 3¢ to average 162¢/kg.
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