This week’s searing heat has flattened the year’s first full week of livestock sales.
The hot temperatures and continued dry weather along with a large increase in supplies at all markets saw lamb and sheep prices easing 15 to 30 cents a kilogram carcase weight while cows, which were back by 35c/kg, were the most effected in the state’s cattle yardings.
The cattle industry’s main barometer for Eastern Young Cattle Indicator was also calculated for the first this year. It closed on Tuesday on 490c/kg, 36c/kg less than when last released in 2018.
Heavy steers and yearling steers were each slightly easier, off three and five cents, at 494c/kg and 511c/kg respectively, while both divisions of lambs – domestic trade and export – each averaged about 675c/kg.