National eastern states average weekly cattle slaughter reported by MLA’s NLRS for June declined 3% year-on-year, with industrial action at some larger processors contributing to a 4% decline in Queensland for the month.
Also adding to the average decline in Queensland for June was heavy falls through central and southern regions, which impacted transportation and sales.
Indicating the steady flow of cattle direct to works, average weekly cattle yardings in Queensland for June declined 9% year-on-year, with reports of some very good lines of cattle reaching processors.
The flow of cattle direct to processors also impacted competition at the yards throughout the month, putting further pressure on prices, especially for the heavier categories.
While average weekly female throughput in Queensland for the month fell 7% year-on-year, male kills only declined 2%.
Like Queensland, average weekly throughput in NSW declined 7% year-on-year, as rain and the retention of females continued to impact available numbers.
In contrast, average weekly slaughter in Victoria for June jumped 7% year-on-year, but against a very low average last year.
For the past fiscal year, weekly eastern states slaughter was marginally lower on the previous year, by 0.4%.
However, average weekly numbers in Queensland increased 2% in 2011-12, largely due to a 6% increase in average weekly male throughput – offsetting a 2% decline for female cattle.
Weekly throughput in NSW for 2011-12 averaged 4% lower, while Victorian weekly slaughter was back 3%, largely due to reduced supplies during August, September and October last year.
Average weekly slaughter in SA was steady for 2011-12, with throughput during June slipping 3% year-on-year.
Source: MLA.com
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