Subscribe to The Weekly e-newsletter
For in-depth red meat market news, information and analysis.
Cattle market alert
04 March 2015
Numbers steady
National cattle throughput, at NLRS reported saleyards, was steady week-on-week, at 36,079 head. Consignments in Queensland increased 5% to 8,652 head, supported by Warwick jumping 52% to 1,455 head. Numbers at Roma Store declined slightly to 6,145 head.
Throughput in NSW eased 6% to 14,595 head, with smaller yardings at CTLX and Wagga. Consignments in Victoria increased 7% to 8,701 head, supported by the yarding at Ballarat doubling week-on-week. SA increased 30% to 2,420 head while WA declined 34% to 1,534 head. The Northern Tasmanian saleyards recorded 177 head.
Export buyer absence
At both Toowoomba sales and Warwick, one major export processor and a feeder buyer were absent. The usual feeder and restocker panel of buyers were present at Roma Store but restockers were more selective on light weight yearling steers.
Export processors were absent at Gunnedah but the market trended dearer. At CTLX, all the regular buyers were in attendance and quality was good. The usual export and domestic buyers we operating at Wagga and were joined by additional restocker competition on secondary categories. Further south, there was a full panel of buyers at NVLX Barnawatha and Pakenham but fewer feeder buyers were operating.
Prices ease
At the close of Tuesday’s markets, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) was back 4.50¢ week-on-week, finishing at 431.25¢/kg cwt. Trade steers eased 1¢ on last week, averaging 229¢, while medium steers improved 1¢, averaging 213¢/kg. Feeder steers eased 5¢, averaging 238¢, and heavy steers declined 5¢, finishing at 218¢/kg. Medium cows averaged 174¢, up 1¢/kg week-on-week
