DESPITE the deterioration in seasonal conditions across a wide area of Queensland, overall supply at physical markets covered by MLA's NLRS fell by close to 20 per cent.
Numbers declined significantly by 37pc at the Roma store sale as producers wait to see how weather conditions will be for the spring growing season.
There were noticeably less restocker buyers at most markets and more are becoming selective in their purchases. Feeder buyers are also becoming more conservative on purchasing light and medium weights.
The large numbers of lightweight yearling heifers flowing into the market are receiving subdued demand with the largest numbers going to southern processors.
However heavy weight feeders went against the downward trend to average 4¢/kg dearer.
The dwindling supply of well presented vealer’s and yearlings ideally suited to the local butcher trade continued to receive strong demand.
Export processor buyer attendance was very good at all markets and included some southern operators, and all were keen to make purchases. Southern buyers were also a strong influence at markets as far north as Longreach.
A shortage of suitable export slaughter cattle in southern states lifted prices of heavy steers and bullocks by 7¢ to 10¢/kg. A highlight of the week was a pen of certified grain fed bullocks sold with part proceeds going to the RFDS making to 220¢/kg.
The trend of an improvement in export slaughter prices flowed onto the cows with medium weights around 4¢ dearer, while good heavy cows lift in price by up to 9¢/kg.
Well bred calves returning to the paddock made to 232.2¢ with most around 204¢, and D muscle lines averaged 180¢/kg. A short supply of vealer heifers to local butchers made to 232.2¢ with most from 210¢ to 216¢/kg.
Lightweight yearling steers purchased by restockers averaged 4¢ less at 208¢ with some to 230.2¢, and lesser quality lines generally sold close to 180¢/kg.
Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 7¢ cheaper at 210¢ with sales to 229.2¢/kg. Heavy feeders averaged 4¢ better at 196¢ and sold to 205.2¢/kg.
Lightweight yearling heifers generally sold in the high 180¢ range with one pen meeting particularly strong competition from restockers and sold to 248.2¢/kg.
Medium weights to the trade made to 221.2¢ to average 193¢ and heavy weights to the supermarket trade made to 206.2¢ to average 189¢/kg.
Heavy steers to export slaughter averaged 7¢ dearer at 186¢ and sold to 199.2¢/kg.
A large selection of bullocks made to 196.2¢ to average 10¢ dearer at close to 189¢ and a small selection over 750 kg lightweight made to 185.2¢/kg.
Medium weight 2 score cows averaged 4¢ dearer at 128¢ and sold to 133.2¢/kg. Heavy 3 scores averaged 138¢ while the better condition categories made to 160¢ with a fair sample 9¢ dearer at close to 152¢/kg.
Source: MLA.com
Back to News Headlines