Little Christmas Cheer For Cattle Producers
AUSTRALIA - Cattle producers will be asking Santa for rain, a recovery in export demand and a falling A$ for 2010, as cattle prices have ended the year 15 per cent below a year ago and averaged five per cent lower than 2008 for the year. While 2009 initially brought a patchy improvement in seasonal conditions, the majority of Queensland and New South Wales have rapidly fallen back into severe drought.
With the northern monsoon commencing, the Australian dollar back below 90US¢ and the prospect of tighter supplies in the New Year, prices could start 2010 a little higher. However, processors have indicated that, given the current depressed export demand and prices, they will cut shifts or remain closed for longer rather than operate at a loss – effectively capping the price response to any widespread rains, says Meat and Livestock Australia.
TheCattleSite News Desk