WHO said vealers were becoming scarce? With the very good season, and female cattle slaughter figures increased over the past two years, fewer vealers have come to market.
Well that trend was certainly put to bed at Wodonga, Tuesday, where supply lifted heavily to see over 700 vealers yarded. The quality was quoted as being “very good to excellent”.
Competition was very good at Wodonga and price trends defied that of all other sales this week. A large number of B muscle calves were penned, selling to 378 cents per kilogram liveweight.
The quality at this market kept restocker competition at bay, although steer and heifer calves still topped the sale making to 382c/kg lwt. Generally, the trend at all markets saw a weakening of feedlot competition, which aided a small reduction in prices.
At most other sales, including South Australia and Wagga Wagga, vealers sold from 330-368c/kg, which was a little cheaper overall.
Overall, supply did increase, although, it was only a line ball with several markets offering reduced numbers. This is a reflection of producers resisting cheaper prices due to the very good season.
On the other hand, the very good season is seeing cattle fatten quicker than normal, and a larger number of heavy and grown steers, and bullocks have entered some markets. Wodonga agents offered a larger selection of grown steers and bullocks, as did Camperdown, Tuesday.
At Pakenham, Monday, fewer bullocks were penned, however, prices continued to ease. The cheaper trend of 10c/kg or more was reflected in all sales this week with only minor sales registered over 300c/kg. Most sales were between 278 & 298c/kg lwt.
At Wodonga there was over 500 grown steers penned, and there was a Queensland buyer present after a long absence. This increased number sold to stronger feeder competition for steers 500-600kgs, which sold from 305-325c/kg lwt.
A general increase in the number of cows penned, along with weaker demand, saw cow prices take another price fall. However, it did depend on which market one looked at with one market firm to a little dearer.
However, the end result was weaker with most of the better quality beef cows selling between 228 & 258c/kg with isolated sale to 265c/kg lwt.
The female slaughter figures may have eased, but they are still high enough to create concerns for processors. The latest predictions of supply well into 2017, do not give much hope for processors with July and August being especially short.
These latest predictions may waylay some of the questions about the short term future of cattle prices.