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QLD weekly cattle summary
13 August 2015
Queensland numbers remain high
The supply of stock into the NLRS reported Queensland saleyards experienced a small variation from centre to centre, but continued to remain relatively high. The young cattle sections at most centres were dominated by young light weight cattle, with this most noticeable at Roma and Dalby, where large number of calves from drought affected areas came forward. Restocker buyer attendance and activity continued to increase, resulting in average prices lifting to higher levels. All the regular feeder buyers were also present and active, along with most of the usual exporters.
Restockers active on light yearlings
- Restockers were able to absorb the increased numbers of calves plus lift average prices by a further 13¢, to average close to 300¢, with the steer portion of some consignments reaching 354¢/kg
- Processors also lifted average prices of vealer heifers by 11¢, to 273¢, with some to local butchers reaching 298¢/kg
- Light yearling steers also experienced stronger support from restockers, with over 1,500 head averaging 310¢, and some sales reaching 330¢/kg
- Medium weight yearling steers to feed generally sold to strong demand, with a good sample averaging close to 300¢, while heavy weights to feed averaged in the high 280¢ range, with sales to 314¢/kg
- Stronger demand from a supermarket chain against local butchers lifted prices on heavy weight yearling steers to slaughter by 3¢ to 30¢, with some to 315¢/kg
- The largest numbers of light yearling heifers returning to the paddock mostly sold from 260¢ to 276¢, with a few pens to 290¢/kg
- Medium yearling heifers to feed for the domestic market average 13¢ better, at 280¢, with sales to 304¢/kg
Cow prices continue to climb
- The relatively small selection of heavy grown steers and bullocks to export slaughter gained 1¢ to 4¢, with both classes reaching 287¢, before averaging 281¢/kg
- Increased restocker demand lifted prices on light weight plain condition cows by over 20¢, with most around 188¢, although some sales were to 204¢/kg
- Export processors also lifted prices on most classes, with medium weight 2 scores 8¢ dearer at 207¢/kg
- Good heavy cows improved by 6¢ to average 247¢, with sales to 258¢/kg
- Heavy bulls experienced much stronger buyer competition from processors to average close to 20¢ higher, at 260¢, with sales to 305¢/kg
Note: All yardings and prices referenced from MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) reported saleyards.
