In 2020 Stirlings to Coast Farmers (SCF) began a three-year Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) looking at alternative forage crops for southern WA.

Refining body condition score for region, season, breed and responsiveness

The cattle market mostly held firm this week, as yardings lifted 16% from last week to 47,548 head. Dryer conditions in Queensland improved attendance at saleyards from processors and exporters. The largest increase was seen in Roma, where cattle were drawn from far western QLD, NSW and the local area for a 7,411 head showing, 3,036 above the previous week.

The cattle market was mixed this week, with processor and dairy cow prices rising. Feeder steer prices improved whereas heavy steers to processors eased slightly. Restocker prices continue to ease.

Elevated year-on-year slaughter has been occurring most weeks across cattle, sheep and lambs this year. Increased supply on the market and cheaper livestock prices have led to processors filling contracts weeks in advance.

Innovative NSW beef producers, Steve and Liz Binnie, have come out on top thanks to an unswerving forward focus and a good dose of grit, in the face of the COVID-19 tsunami and its aftershocks.

The cattle market held firm across most indicators this week. Yardings lifted by 7,316 head (18%) week-on-week. Numbers through the Restocker Yearling Steer indicator increased the most, reaching 6,604 head.

Following last week’s rain, which saw supply tighten, national cattle yardings bounced back this week and increased by 54% or 14,600 head.

Softer prices in the market recently have been driven largely by the weight, condition and finish of livestock. With extensive supply in the saleyards and processors booked out in advance, demand pressure in the saleyards has been soft. Less activity at the saleyard has also affected prices, with not all regular buyers present or actively bidding.

This year, Australia’s sheep flock and its breeding ewe numbers reached their highest levels since 2007 at 78.75 million and 46.14 million head respectively, according to the latest Sheep Projections update from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).