IS it any wonder that the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator has shot to 709c/kg with buyers of feeder steers and heifers, and restockers attacking physical markets, trying to secure supply, but also trying to keep their purchase prices at reasonable levels?
Leann Dax, MLA’s livestock market reporter, made a big statement after Monday’s sale, quoting prices 20-50c/kg lwt dearer for a range of steers and heifers. The figures speak for themselves, but with special spring sale prices reaching record highs, physical sales will continue to rise.
Prices for steers to feed-on were mostly between 365c & 425c, although isolated sales were as high as 469c/kg lwt. Heifers had a larger price range, mostly from 315-385c/kg lwt.
It was hard to determine if grown steer and bullock prices have stabilised, selling mostly from 350-385c, as there was some quality changes. However, there was no doubt the manufacturing steers and bullocks improved in price with some stand out sales noted. Friesian bullocks sold to 317.6c, crossbred bullocks to 347c, and one extra heavy Friesian bullock (895kgs) selling for 265c/kg.
Generally, supply has been steady, although some markets were smaller, some due to heavy rain, others with some areas plain and simply running out of cattle.
Secondary cattle did make up a large share of all markets with many returning to the paddock, or feedlot. However, some excellent quality was offered, albeit mostly grain assisted.
These steers and heifers sold to the top of any market, at times equalling the best vealers, and in some instances topping the market.
Steers sold to 392c, and heifers 389c/kg lwt, and although this seemed very dear, their dressing percentages aided better carcass weight prices than other cattle. Each market had its top prices, and when allowing for travelling distance, many prices were equal.
Producers selling at the Baw Baw Livestock exchange, Warragul, on the doorstep of Radfords abattoirs, and numerous processors, sold vealers to 394c/kg last Wednesday.
Not being able to attend many fat cattle sales does make it difficult to judge quality to price. Therefore i can mostly quote what is have seen, and one that stood out was a pen of 18 heifer vealers, about 290kgs lwt, that sold for 385.6c/kg. Subject to dressing percentage, these would be close to 700c/kg cwt.
Competition was stronger for cows, despite there being little to no gap of profit margin for 90CL category cows, for the US market. Except for a few very poor quality, lightweight dairy cows, making from 144-175c/kg, most lean cows sold from 180-245c/kg.
Noted in some market reports were Friesian cows selling to 278c/kg, prices that were up to 10c/kg dearer week-on-week.
Good quality beef cows also sold to dearer trends with most selling from 270-295c, although some sales were recorded early this week, to a top of 310c/kg lwt.
Comparing cows to grown heifers can inflate trends, but the best heifers sold to 374c/kg this week.
