The number of cattle offered at Victorian saleyards last week plummeted due to the Melbourne Cup holiday, putting the State at odds with the trends experienced elsewhere on the eastern seaboard.
Meat and Livestock Australia reports that the holiday resulted in Camperdown not selling, and Pakenham having a combined young and grown cattle sale last Monday.
Other centres recorded a 39pc fall in total yardings.
But cattle throughput at saleyards in Queensland and NSW increased last week, despite some good rain falls, the ongoing harvest and general decline in prices at both physical markets and direct to works.
MLA reports that the recent rains, albeit scattered, have not been enough to kick start the season, with the onset of hotter temperatures creating further concerns.
MLA says supply in Queensland lifted 13pc on the previous week, with most of the gains being recorded at Longreach, Moreton and Warwick.
In NSW yardings increased 26pc, with most centres offering greater numbers.
The only exceptions were CTLX, Goulburn and Forbes.
Both SA and WA followed the trend in Victoria, to record fewer numbers, with all markets affected.
SA slipped just 6pc, and WA declined 27pc.
Supply, however, lifted slightly in Tasmania, from the low level of the previous week, with cows continuing to dominate.
