IT was no surprise that supply increased across all markets, after producers settled back into selling mode, after the long weekend in Victoria for Labour Day.
That short week created dearer price trends for most cattle, and producers responded accordingly.
However, for the time of year, and the very dry conditions, supply remains quite short, especially of slaughter cattle.
Recent rain in New South Wales, in central districts, and the weather bureau’s promise of soaking rain for much of Victoria, lifted restocker demand at many markets across Victoria, NSW and South Australia.
Vealers remain scarce and sold mostly from 350-378c/kg with restockers buying most of the plainer calves, paying up to 428c/kg lwt.
With many yearling steers being sold in store markets, processors have only small choices in physical sales.
Grain finished steers again sold very well making to 367c/kg, as did some of the grain finished heifers.
Rain throughout parts of New South Wales over a week ago, lifted restocker competition at Wagga Wagga market, Monday, by up to 50 cents per kilogram liveweight.
- Peter Kostos, Stock & Land market analyst
Increased demand for yearling and grown steers saw a small selection of better quality steers sell to 335c, but plainer quality sold to feedlots and restockers from 305-350c/kg lwt.
The supply of bullocks is very limited, partly due to producers selling direct to processors.
Price trends varied depending on quality, and this created a price range of 275-315c/kg.
If producers can supply quality, coupled with weight, returns to producers remain high in dollar terms.
One producer told me he had recently sold 800kg bullocks direct, which returned him $2800.
Trade processors and wholesalers, looking for more consistent meat quality have been buying heifers, which has created some price increases.
Yearling heifers sold mostly between 295 & 325c/kg lwt.
Export processors, and wholesalers, are looking to redeem some profit from their buying, and are keeping the lid on cow and grown heifers prices.
Further price rises for 90CL grinding beef has made little difference to prices with some markets dearer, and others cheaper.
Pakenham and Wagga Wagga cow sales were firm to dearer, while Shepparton was quoted as 3-10c/kg cheaper.
Camperdown cow sale has plenty of lean cows each week, and their sale, Tuesday, was quoted 2-9c/kg better.
Better quality beef cows sold mostly from 230-248c, and lean cows generally 185-228c/kg lwt.