Cattle markets
Throughput lifts
Consignments at physical markets reported by MLA’s NLRS increased 8% as the majority of selling centres recorded greater numbers.
Dubbo, Inverell and Forbes were the only saleyards to yard less cattle. Wagga lifted 12% with a larger yarding of secondary yearling steers and heifers.
Scones throughput continued to lift, yarding around 1,700 head with light young cattle making up the majority of the throughput. Gunnedah yarded 24% more cattle with good numbers of yearlings offered, while throughput at CTLX was up by 44%.
Quality continues to be plain
Despite the increase in throughput the quality of cattle continue to be plain with young cattle feeling the effects of the persistent dry weather.
Quality at Gunnedah was not the standard of last week although some finished lines were scattered throughout.
Scone, Wagga and CTLX all yarded predominately unfinished lines although some heavy cows at CTLX did fetch a premium due to quality.
Tamworth and Dubbo had mixed quality yardings as feeder buyers were active on the secondary yearlings while restockers were very selective in their purchases.
The usual buyers were present and operating in a generally cheaper market.
Prices slide
Prices were cheaper across most categories and many were quality related. Calves returning to the paddock though were generally 5¢/kg dearer for the better quality lines.
Medium vealer steers to restock orders were unchanged on last week’s levels making 194¢, while C2 lines to slaughter were cheaper by 2¢ to 11¢/kg.
The majority of medium vealer heifers to slaughter were 10¢ cheaper averaging 196¢ while restockers paid to 192¢ for medium weights although most purchases were closer to 160¢/kg.
Light yearling steers to restockers eased 8¢ to 183¢ while medium weights to feed lost 6¢ to 182¢/kg.
Light yearlings heifers returning to the paddock made from 150¢ to 179¢, while C3 medium weights to slaughter averaged 173¢/kg.
Heavy C3 grown steers were unchanged at 179¢, while light D3 grown heifers topped at 176¢ to average 146¢/kg. Medium D2 beef cows eased 1¢ on 119¢ and the D3s slipped 3¢ to average 131¢/kg.
The heavy D4’s finished around 143¢/kg.
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.