Wednesday 17 October 2012
Australia
Queensland cattle markets
There was a mixed quality yarding at the Roma store sale, as numbers increased 43% on the previous week, to 5,500 head. Despite a large panel of buyers in attendance, competition was mixed, with restockers not as willing to pay recent prices, while feeders were eager to secure greater numbers. This resulted in light yearlings steers slipping 14¢/kg lwt on the previous week, while heavy weights to feed gained 15¢/kg lwt. Southern processors were also active on the light yearling heifers, which averaged 6¢/kg lwt higher on the previous sale, while cows struggled to maintain last week’s levels.
The Warwick yarding lifted 22%, with the recent hot and dry conditions contributing to the increased supply. Quality was mixed, with young cattle in large supply. While all of the regular export buyers were reportedly in attendance, interest waned across the younger lines offered. The weaker demand on younger cattle was reflected in prices, averaging 7¢ to 12¢/kg cheaper on the previous week. However, going against the weaker trend were several well present lines suiting the local butcher trade. Heavy steers and bullocks were 1¢ to 3¢/kg lwt dearer, as cows improved 3¢ to 4¢/kg lwt.
Dalby - Wednesday, 10 October
Limited rain across the supply area during the past few months contributed to a very large offering at Dalby, with almost 6,800 head penned – the largest sale since September 2009. Despite the recent drier run, the quality of the heavy steers, bullocks and cows offered were reported at a high standard. However, it was also noted that the quality of the young cattle presented varied significantly. A full panel of buyers operated throughout the day, with young cattle mostly 2¢ to 10¢/kg lwt cheaper, with the exception of vealer heifers. Heavy steers and bullocks lifted 1¢ to 2¢/kg lwt. Cows also gained around 3¢/kg lwt, with a large consignment of good heavy cows from the far west helping the overall quality.
Roma Prime sale - Thursday, 11 October
The Roma Prime sale registered a 50% increase in supply, with the majority of cattle being drawn from the western parts of the state, with the few yearling heifers offered receiving plenty of processor attention. Good lines of heavy bullocks sold to solid competition; however there were some plainer lines of Brahman cross bullocks that reduced the overall average. Reflecting the overall trend at earlier sales throughout the week, cow prices fluctuated with most finishing 1¢ to 4¢/kg lwt cheaper, except for good quality medium weights which gained 5¢/kg.
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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