Some of the best falls in months in parts of Southern Australia have helped to boost restocker demand and halt cattle price slides in the past week.

Following sales yesterday the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator closed 7c higher for the week at 348c/kg.

Good falls provided welcome relief to graziers in parts of NSW and Victoria where measurements of 50mm plus were recorded, and southern and northern Western Australia where falls reached 25mm.

Scattered falls of up to 50mm were also recorded in the parts Northern Territory, while South Australia and Queensland experienced patchy showers in the vicinity of 15mm in some areas.

National saleyard cattle yardings declined 14 percent for the week, with the majority of states reporting reduced supplies.

Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service said the wet weather had played a role in tightening supply across several regions, but added that recent lower prices for cattle may have also had an influence over the reduced offerings.

The grain harvest effect, particulary in southern regions where dual cropping/livestock operations are common, is another factor likely to have contributed to tighter supplies win the current market ith producer attentions heavily focused on stripping winter crops.

Most NLRS’s price categories finished higher for the week.

The eastern states trade steer indicator lifted 5c on last week to 348c, medium steers gained 3c to 315c, and heavy steers increased 1c to 327c.

The medium cow indicator was the only indicator to fall, slipping 3c to 268c, while the feeder steer indicator remained unchanged for the week on 343c/kg cwt.

The NLRS also noted that many better-bred supplementary-fed cattle were now entering the market throughout NSW and Queensland.

It said the outlook for coming months hinges largely on follow-up rain.

“For eastern states producers, further follow up rain throughout November will be a big determinant as to how producers fare throughout the summer months, although many grain producers will be looking for a few drier periods to ensure a productive harvest.”