Weather conditions were again responsible for varying supply trends across all of the physical markets that affect Victorian processors.
While temperatures have modified a little, the change from very hot to cool, if not cold conditions, is affecting the quality of cattle.
There remain a few exceptions to this, with South and West Gippsland continuing a good season, although having the first snow of 2017 falling over the weekend, cold conditions may soon rip some condition off cattle here, too.
Processors are making allowances for these changing conditions, as the dressing percentages of slaughter cattle continue to decline. However, this week saw a decline in restocker activity too, and price trends for steers and heifers were between five and 25 cents per kilogram liveweight cheaper.
The Wagga Wagga market on Monday is the best indicator of this, as its increased supply included over 1700 yearling steers. Only about four per cent of these were purchased by trade buyers.
While more heifers were purchased for slaughter, the larger percentage was purchased for restocking or grain feeding.
How did this affect prices? Most of the steers returning to the paddock sold from 325-365c/kg with lighter weights up to 385c/kg. There was a larger variation for heifers with the tail end price staring around 265c/kg.
Trade buyers were more circumspect, being very aware of dressing percentages and potential meat yields.
On average, vealer prices were lower, being quality driven. However, at Warragul and Wangaratta markets, high quality vealers sold up to, and over 380c/kg lwt. This was not the norm though with most vealers making between 335-365c/kg.
Once again, bullock prices eased overall, although the best quality, sold at Leongatha, made the highest prices being mostly between 305-320c/kg lwt. As this week has progressed, prices recorded are mainly between 280-312c/kg lwt.
Markets in Gippsland have generally offered similar small yardings for February, but other markets have increased.
Analysing this week’s reports they show grain assisted steers and heifers selling very well for small numbers. Prices reached 350c/kg for steers and 340c/kg for heifers at Shepparton, Tuesday.
Cow numbers improved slightly, and price trends were mixed.Generally, beef cows sold at unchanged to easing trends, making mostly from 230-255c/kg.
Leaner cows showed the larger price falls, although there was a big variation here too. Shepparton, Camperdown, Leongatha, and Wagga had the larger offerings, where prices varied from 106-165c/kg for the poorest yielding cows, but many of the larger frame cows sold between 175-215c/kg.
Not mentioned very often are bull prices.
At Leongatha, last Wednesday, agents yarded 93 bulls of all weights colours and condition. These sold between 199-297c/kg, which is not too shabby for an unwanted beast.
Some of this money is being used to fund new bulls, which are selling very well at stud sales this season.