Plainer Cattle Offered

AUSTRALIA - National cattle yardings increased 17%, but remained 16% below the same period last year. With an increase in numbers, a larger supply of plainer conditioned lines was offered. Competition was strong on the better quality pens and lot feeders increased their activity. Overall, prices were mixed due to quality.
calendar icon 12 May 2008
clock icon 3 minute read
Meat & Livestock Australia

Victorian competition picks up

The majority of MLA’s NLRS reported Victoria centres reported larger yardings as throughput increased 14% this week. Along with the increased volume, larger numbers of plainer conditioned cattle were offered. The largest increases were witnessed at Ballarat and Pakenham where yardings lifted 80% and 62%, respectively.

Quality was reported to be mixed, and as winter approaches, a greater proportion of cattle are carrying longer coats. Dressing percentages have also started to decline. The higher turn-off of lower quality stock is due to the dry conditions across the majority of the supply areas, and the resulting high input costs currently faced by producers.

Overall, buyer competition was reasonably strong. With the increased plainer lines, competition lifted for the better quality descriptions, while lesser quality lines were discounted. A wider range of categories were in demand by lot feeders, as they wanted to secure numbers for turn-off later in winter. The average price for C2 medium weight yearling steers in Victoria gained 2¢ on last week, to average 168¢/kg lwt. Nationally, the feeder steer indicator remained firm at 163¢/kg. Lot feeders also lifted rates 3¢ for C2 heavyweight yearling steers as they ranged between 140¢ and 172¢, to average 164¢/kg lwt.

Processors were more active on the C3 heavyweight yearling steers, which topped at 203¢, but lost 1¢ to average 172¢/kg lwt. A large run of lean C2 lightweight yearling heifers destined for slaughter gained 3¢ on last week, to average 162.5¢/kg lwt. Processors also increased prices paid for medium and heavyweight yearling heifers, as the plain medium weight D2s increased 6¢, to average 144¢/kg lwt and the heavyweight C3s lifted 1¢ to 165¢/kg lwt.

With the change in ownership at one of Victoria’s largest abattoirs, many producers were optimistic it would increase competition among buyers. This was the case at Leongatha’s grown cattle sale, with some bullocks and cows realising improved rates. Grown steers registered mixed results. Processors paid 155¢ to 176¢/kg lwt for C3 heavyweight grown steers as average prices fell 3¢ to 167¢/kg lwt. Good C4 bullocks remained firm, to range between 152¢ and 177¢/kg lwt. Cow prices lifted slightly this week for medium weights, but eased for heavyweights. D2 medium weight cows rose 3¢, averaging 123¢ and ranging between 108¢ and 140¢/kg lwt. Heavyweight cows eased 1¢, to average 136¢/kg lwt.

Yardings lift, prices ease

National cattle yardings lifted 17% this week, with quality and breed further influencing competition. The plainer lines offered were heavily discounted, while the better conditioned cattle sold to increased interest.

Nationally, young cattle sold firm, to slightly cheaper, with the EYCI slipping 6.25¢ on last week, to finish Thursday at 311¢/kg cwt. The vealer steer indicator eased 2.5¢ to 174¢, while yearling steers remained unchanged at 174¢/kg lwt. With increased interest from lotfeeders, the feeder steer indicator remained firm on last week, at 163¢/kg.

Light and medium weight grown steers sold to dearer rates, while prices for heavyweights and bullocks tended to ease. Slightly more C3 medium weight grown steers were purchased by processors this week, at dearer rates. The medium steer indicator lifted 2¢, to 158¢/kg lwt. In contrast, the Japan ox indicator eased 3¢, to

164¢/kg lwt, despite available numbers declining. The cow indicator once again remained quite stable, easing 1¢ to 120¢/kg lwt.

TheCattleSite News Desk

© 2000 - 2024 - Global Ag Media. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission.