Cattle Farmers Lift Supply In Face Of Floods

AUSTRALIA - More cattle were transported to saleyards around the country last week, but numbers are still limited in Queensland after the flooding damaged road and rail infrastructure, according to Meat & Livestock Australia.
calendar icon 25 January 2011
clock icon 2 minute read
Meat & Livestock Australia

The MLA Tuesday Livestock report said that at Toowoomba producers took advantage of a break in the weather and numbers climbed. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged around 211¢ with the heavyweights down 6¢ to 204¢/kg. Medium weight heifers to the trade slipped 9¢ to average 200¢/kg. Heavyweight grown steers were steady on 194¢ and bullocks gained 8¢ to settle at 188¢/kg. Heavyweight cows were firm to slightly dearer mostly making between 153¢ and 162¢/kg.

Numbers increased at Tamworth, quality was fair with most grades represented. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 212¢ and the heavyweights made 198¢/kg. Lightweight yearling heifers to feed and restock averaged 212¢ as heavyweights to slaughter sold around 197¢/kg. Heavyweight grown steers were firm on 198¢ as medium and heavy cows made 150¢/kg.

Wagga had an increase in supply and quality was good. Lightweight vealer steers to restock improved 3¢ to average 256¢/kg. Medium yearling steers to feed lifted up to 10¢ to sell at 221¢ as heavyweights were down 9¢ to 206¢, the heavy heifer portion made 197¢/kg. Heavyweight grown steers were firm on 198¢ and heavy cows were also steady around 164¢/kg.

After Monday's markets the increased numbers meant the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) had eased 10¢ for the week to finish on 403.5¢/kg cwt. The trade steer indicator was back 1¢ - to 210¢ and feeder steers were down 4¢ on 212¢/kg lwt. Japan ox gained 4¢ - to 197¢ and medium cow was firm on 151¢/kg lwt.

The Australian reports that cattle supplies at the major Queensland saleyards monitored by Meat & Livestock Australia increased last week as roads reopened, with more than 10,000 cattle offered for sale in the state.

But numbers are still 27 per cent below the same week last year, as supplies remain comparatively tight in the wake of the recent wet conditions, according to a statement issued on Friday by the marketing group.

Although cattle offerings were limited in Queensland, numbers rose nationally last week by almost 50 per cent and were up 9 per cent on last year.

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