THE feeder market is something of a ‘mixed grill’ this week, with some feedlots reporting business as usual and prices relatively unchanged while others are pointing to recent rain in Queensland as a key cause of supply disruptions and increased prices.

Feedlot buyers who spoke with Beef Central this morning quoted paddock sales for 400kg+ flatback feeder steers  at between 365c-375c/kg – which is about 10c/kg higher than a fortnight ago.

However, some big lotfeeders said they were well covered until Christmas and were not actively chasing cattle this week.

Those particular buyers said the last quotes they had released at the start of November were between 350-355c for flatbacks and about 370c for Angus steers delivered Downs. They said the southern market was generally cheaper with flatbacks going as low as 340c and Angus about 350c.

Two weeks ago the market appeared to be in a holding pattern, with dry paddocks and lightning-ignited fires dominating the attention of many producers.

Rainfall for the week ending Monday, 25 Nov 2024.

But a fortnight later wet weather through large parts of southern and central Queensland has changed the picture (right).

From worrying about whether they could get cattle to target weights, many producers in the region now have the  the choice to hold cattle and put more kilos on.

Supply will potentially tighten further in the coming week if the Bureau of Meteorology’s eight-day forecast delivers what it is predicting.

Meat & Livestock Australia’s saleyard-based feeder steer indicator shows prices are generally higher in the north than the south.

The indicator opened this week at 345c, with 400kg+ steers averaging 350c across the country. Heavy steers in Qld opened the week at 371c, with NSW at 344c, Victoria and South Australia at 307c and Western Australia at 280c.

Southern Angus cattle are increasingly prevalent in Southern Qld feedlots with the price disparity between Angus and flatbacks said to be almost non-existent on the current market.