RAINFALL from 15 to 100 millimeters across the Murray Darling Basin region has slashed livestock supply numbers across the major saleyards centres.
The result has seen a significant boost in prices, particularly for cattle, and launched the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) to more than 500 cents per kilogram - a climb of more than 20c/kg across the week.
The major rain started Monday evening and coincided with the Pakenham and Wagga Wagga, NSW, sales conducted that day which offered larger numbers following the long weekend.
However, as the rain fell, numbers dried up quickly especially at Dubbo, NSW prime cattle sale on Thursday which saw a 68 per cent drop in numbers. The yarding dropped from 3210 to 1065, with the contracted market rising by 8-12c/kg.
The pinch in numbers was felt in the far north with Dalby, Queensland experiencing a 23pc cut in its yarding to less than 5000 head, with the market quoted 20-30c/kg higher on yearling steers.
The climb was reflected early in the week, with the Northern Victorian Livestock Exchange, at Barnawartha dropping its yarding 200 head to 1600.
The contracted market has impacted the EYCI with a dramatic 4.5pc price rise from 479 to 501c/kg, from Friday to Thursday, June 18.
The lamb market’s supply, while impacted by rain, has had no reaction in price.
Wagga Wagga’s weekly prime lamb market saw supplies plunge sharply by 50pc, from 40,000 to 20,000. Shepparton had similar results with numbers tumbling from 2400 to 500.
