Wet weather restricts supply.
The wet weather last week continues to restrict supply into the saleyards with numbers at physical markets covered by MLA’s NLRS falling a further 12%.
Most centres recorded reduced supply however with the country starting to dry out in the supply area around Dalby numbers experienced a small increase, while the Roma prime sale recorded the smallest yarding for 2012.
Young cattle continue to dominate the selling pens representing 60% of total supply as at this time of year some producers choose to wean straight into the saleyards.
The quality of the heavy steer and bullocks portion was generally good while the cow section contained a large supply of leaner categories.
Extra restocker buyers were present at most markets, while a full gallery of export buyers was present and operating.
Values generally improved across a number of sections, and while restocker buyers continue to be optimistic about the winter seasonal conditions, in places were selective with their purchases with only well bred classes commanding a high rate.
Yearling steers and heifers to feed all improved in value with medium weights steers 16¢ better, and heavyweight export feeders 6¢/kg dearer.
Demand clearly outweighed supply on heavy steers and bullocks and as a result prices lifted by 7¢ to 8¢/kg.
Lean cows continued to be in demand from restockers as well as processors and the vast majority of lower fat scores sold to processors.
The better conditioned heavy weights sold to a market 3¢ to 5¢/kg dearer.
Most classes dearer
Calves returning to the paddock averaged 212¢ and sold to 234.2¢/kg. Vealer steers purchased by restockers made to 240.2¢ in pen lots with most at 220¢/kg.
Vealer heifers to local and southern processors in the south of the state made around 200¢/kg with isolated sales to butchers at 227.6¢/kg.
Lightweight yearling steers returning to the paddock averaged 211¢ and sold to 231.2¢/kg.
A fair selection of medium weight feeders averaged 207¢, while a large sample of heavy feeders averaged 6¢ better at 195¢ with a few pens to 208.2¢ some returning $1095/head.
A relatively short supply of medium weight yearling heifers to the trade experienced a big lift in price to average 207¢ and sold to 221.2¢/kg.
Heavy steers to export slaughter improved in price by 7¢ to average at 182¢ and sold to 190.2¢/kg.
A fair sample of bullocks averaged 8¢ better at 183¢ with a few pens to 190.2¢/kg.
Cows to restockers averaged 127¢ with the occasional pen to 140¢/kg.
Lightweight lean cows to processors averaged 105c, and medium weights 113¢/kg Medium weight 2 scores mostly sold around 118¢, and 3 scores 132¢/kg. Good heavy cows made to 160¢ to average 5¢ dearer at 150¢/kg.
Source: MLA.com
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