ANZAC Day public holiday took out several of the key cattle markets on the eastern seaboard, but supply rallied on Tuesday with Wodonga offering 1500 head (an increase of 40 per cent), Shepparton 2000 head (500 more) and Camperdown offering more than 800 cattle (also larger in number).
After mostly small offerings the previous week prior to Anzac Day, which created dearer price trends, it was predictable that supply would increase this week.
Those aspirations were achieved, although generally not at high levels. In fact, export cattle price trends varied across the different the supply chain with quality being the biggest influencer.
The two major markets of Wodonga and Shepparton both cited an increase in quality grain-finished steers, heifers, and in some instances, grown steers and heifers too. This did influence some very good returns to some producers.
Top of the list were yearling steers to 335 cents a kilogram liveweight and heifers to 325c/kg lwt. These prices almost pipped the best vealers with their top price reaching 338c/kg lwt.
Once again, competition for feeder steers and heifers, plus restocking activity, was the major competition at most sales, but not necessarily at dearer prices. Some better cattle averaged higher rates, although numerous sales were lower. Steers sold mostly from 285-325c, and heifers 265-305c/kg lwt.
Demand for vealers remains strong, but buyers are very wary of falling dressing percentages with the onset of cooler weather. Most of the heavier vealers sold from 280-320c/kg, underpinned by the demand for feeder cattle.
Lighter weight vealers are being sought with competition venturing into store cattle sales to supplement supply. Prices at physical and store sales are similar with most selling from 280-310c/kg lwt. Once again here, prices were underpinned, not so much by feeders, but by restockers as the end dollar value is more suitable.
Some of the lack of enthusiasm was due to quality, but with feedlots operating at a loss after costs, demand did soften. Rain will remain the most determining factor on price trends in the near future.
Until supply drops during the winter months will we see how prices could really react. However, currently, for export cattle, the strengthening value of the Australian Dollar is hurting processors.
There has been few grown steers and bullocks to quote, to give a good indication how price trends will be. The few grown steers sold from 280-315c with their older and heavier brothers reaching 300c/kg, although few sold at the high level. grown heifers sold mostly to 275c/kg.
Price trends for cows were varied. Some of the better quality cows, both beef and dairy breeds were dearer with and influence of cheaper prices for poor quality lean cows. Those better quality beef cows sold from 215-240c/kg with some small sales to 255c/kg lwt.
The larger percentage of the lean dairy cows ranged in price, mostly between 165c/kg and 210c/kg, and once again, the better yielding cows to 225c/kg lwt. Supply was slightly better.
