Thursday daily cattle summary

Cattle numbers at Dalby increased 32% this week, to 5,288 head. Market confidence combined with dryer conditions contributed to a much larger yarding week-on-week, with a large panel of buyers operating in dearer conditions. Quality was good overall, with restockers very active and bidding keenly on light weight yearlings – while export processors provided solid competition for grown categories.

• Light C2 yearling steers to restockers gained 7¢, averaging 403¢, while heavy C3 drafts to feed gained 2¢, making 350¢/kg
• Light C2 yearling heifers to restockers were up 3¢, averaging 355¢/kg
• Medium C2 grown steers to feed finished 30¢ dearer, at 318¢/kg
• Heavy D4 cows to processors reached 271¢, averaging 256¢, firm

Casino throughput increased 34%, to 1,625 head. Good supplies of medium and heavy weight vealers were on offer this week, along with an increased supply of grown cattle, which were reflective of the seasonal conditions. Buyer demand was strong, particularly from restockers, with quality good throughout most sections and few plainer cattle penned.

• Medium C2 vealer steer to restockers gained 9¢, averaging 382¢/kg
• Medium C2 vealer heifers to processors slipped 4¢, averaging 345¢/kg
• Medium D3 cows to slaughter reached 248¢, averaging 238¢, back 5¢/kg

Consignments at Warrnambool reached 2,022 head this week – lifting substantially on what was an Australia day affected yarding the week prior. The regular field of buyers were present, with restocker demand setting a dearer platform for trade sections. Most other categories remained firm, with a good supply of cows on offer.

• Heavy C3 vealer heifers to processors were up 8¢, averaging 329¢/kg
• Heavy C4 bullocks to processors reached 326¢, averaging 317¢/kg
• Heavy C4 cows to slaughter reached 255¢, averaging 250¢/kg

At the close of Wednesday’s markets:    

• The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) finished on 656.50¢, gaining 2¢/kg cwt on where it finished the previous day.
• Trade steers averaged 345¢, up 7¢/kg lwt
• Medium steers averaged 299¢, up 2¢/kg lwt
• Heavy steers averaged 307¢, up 2¢/kg lwt
• Medium cows averaged 234¢, down 2¢/kg lwt
• Feeder steers settled on 357¢, up 1¢/kg lwt

For the full list of cattle market reports, please click here.

Note: All yardings and prices referenced are from MLA reported saleyards