FLATBACK feeder prices have taken a hit in the past week as a cyclone comes into the north and the south gets its first days of cold weather.
Image Source: ALFA
Buyers who spoke to Beef Central this morning were quoting flatback feeder steers on the Darling Downs between 450-470c/kg – a 10c drop on the past fortnight.
The drop in crossbred prices has widened the gap with the Angus price, which has remained steady. Angus prices in the north are hovering 500-520c/kg – with one southern buyer telling Beef Central he was unable to purchase Angus steers in Queensland for 510c.
In the south, Angus prices are slightly dearer ranging between 520-535c/kg. And the southern crossbred is sitting around 460c/kg.
Big numbers continue to move out of NSW
A combination of cattle numbers picking up and lotfeeders still working through their inventories after a run a short processing weeks has been attributed to northern yards being booked out.
As GDL Roma branch manager Geoff Maslen pointed out on The Week in Beef podcast last week, cattle have been getting to feeder weight quickly in areas of the north that have had a good season – which has pushed some onto the market.
More rain is forecast in North Queensland this week as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Maila weakens into a low and heads for Australia.
Conditions in Northern New South Wales are almost directly contrasting North Qld, as the area gets its first taste of cold weather after a dry summer. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Glen Innes recorded -1.5 this morning and Tamworth 1.2 degrees.
Agents are continuing to yard big numbers in the area, with Tamworth agents yarding 6200 head this morning and Gunnedah has 7180 on the draw for tomorrow. Roma has 7000 booked in.
Heavy feeders holding firm at saleyards
| Indicator | Head count | Av Price (lw/kg) | One week change |
| Overall National Feeder Steer Indicator | 4165 | 456c | -7c |
| 400kg+ National Feeder Steer Indicator | 1796 | 466c | +4 |
| 400kg+ Qld Feeder Steer Indicator | 705 | 431c | -17c |
| 400kg+ NSW Feeder Steer Indicator | 987 | 492c | +18c |
Meat & Livestock Australia’s saleyard-based feeder steer indicator opened this week 456c/kg, which is a 7c drop on the past week and a 32c drop on the past month.
All weight categories that make up the indicator dropped last week, except for the 400kg+ category which increased 4c.
New South Wales saw the biggest increases in heavy feeder prices, with an 18c increase, while Qld saleyards reflected this morning’s paddock quotes with a decrease of 17c.
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