SALEYARD prices have continued to hold up as some bigger runs of cattle start to move in Queensland.

The Roma saleyards has had its biggest fortnight of the year, with two consecutive yardings of more than 11,000 head – Dalby has also been busy with more than 8000 head this week. According to Meat & Livestock Australia, Qld hosted 45pc of the national throughput this year.

EYCI ended close of business 23 July

Prices have levelled out after a rallying for the past two months, with most indicators dropping slightly last week and staying steady this week.

The benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator is still at its highest point since 2022, closing this week at 1003c/kg carcase weight.  The processor cow indicator is at 374c/kg and the feeder steer indicator at 534c/kg.

Speaking on The Week in Beef podcast, GDL managing director Peter Daniel said a big rush of cattle headed north this year and they are now going the other way.

“Qld does not really start until after Easter and, with the season being so good, we have left a little bit later,” Mr Daniel said.

“We always see really strong numbers through July as the lead of the weaners comes through. We have had a lot of those, but also there has been this southern influence in the market with the processors. Normally we see them from late August through the end of the year, but they have been up here for three months.”

Mr Daniel said there were multiple reasons cattle numbers were ramping up the saleyards, with a strong market and saleyards getting higher prices than direct consignments.

“People’s memories of where this market can go and how it can fluctuate. It probably comforted them say ‘let’s start mustering, the market is that strong, we are pretty well stocked up, let’s take advantage of it’.

“If anything was going to test the market out it was last two weeks of Roma and Dalby, but there is just such an appetite, with it is processors or feeder cattle, it is quite amazing how strong it is.

Angus premium and indicator of demand

Mr Daniel said a clear Angus premium for feeder and restocker cattle was a good indication of where the cattle were going.

“They are going back south again, there is a big hole to fill there. We have seen some new buyers in the market that we have not seen for a long time, coming up and buying restocker cattle,” he said.

“Shoe is on the other foot now, they are going the other way.”

Asked how long he was expecting the bigger numbers to continue, Mr Daniel said he was expecting some fluctuations over the next couple of months.

“Central Qld is going now, North Qld has only just started, the Northern Territory has not really started, all the far west of Qld is yet to come – they might not get to those cattle until October,” he said.

“We are very happy with the market at the moment, whether it is sustainable we do not know know. But anywhere within 10 to 20c of where it is at the moment is probably pretty good for everyone.”