It is fair to say that saleyard activity has become a definite place to see processors only filling up orders, and not seeking physical sales for supply.
When analysing MLA’s market reports from Monday and Tuesday, it was commented on at most sales that some processors were absent from markets.
This only suggests that supply is coming mostly from feedlots and direct sales. It would appear that cows are the only class of cattle still holding the fort for physical sales.
Returning to a full working week, after the recent public holiday, Monday markets were larger, albeit not much larger, and Tuesday sales have all seen a weaker supply trend.
With top quality vealers and grain finished yearlings remaining in short supply, the prices for these were firm to dearer. While the best vealers peaked at over 380 cents per kilogram liveweight, most sold between 350 & 372c/kg.me at some sales only
Grain assisted yearlings sold in a similar price range with a few sales recorded from 350-368c/kg. The supply of yearling steers of any note was limited. Depending on which market you were at, prices varied from 3-8c cheaper, to firm to 3c/kg dearer. Some of this difference was restocker driven, but the number of processors aided some of the stronger sales.
With Wagga Wagga returning after two weeks, restocker demand was higher, but prices were quality driven. Young steer calves sold to 416c, while the larger body of yearling steers sold from 320-376c/kg lwt. Processors did lift their game at some sales only, paying up to 338c/kg. Poor condition cattle purchased for slaughter, sold from 294-315c/kg.
Only Leongatha, Wodonga and Narracoorte produced bullocks in reasonable numbers, and prices for better bullocks were between 298&315c/kg. these prices were generally unchanged.
Over weight and manufacturing bullocks seemed to sell to less demand, but prices held up fairly well. Beef breed manufacturing bullocks sold from 28o-305c, while most Friesians made from 235-258c/kg lwt.
Grown heifers, cows, and bulls generally sold well, but their differing results between the markets. Better quality beef cows sold mostly between 245&260c/kg, even Ballarat sold cows to 270c/kg lwt. However, Camperdown was quoted with beef cows reaching only to 248c/kg lwt.
Dairy cows continue to dominate most cow sales with numbers out supplying beef cows in the obvious dairy areas. Prices ranged mostly from 165-215c with some very good quality to 225c/kg, and very poor and lightweght cows from a base of 135c to 210c/kg for large frame cows.
