Consignments increase

Following the previous shorter trading week, total national cattle throughput increased 51pc this week, with the majority of states yarding larger numbers.

Numbers in Queensland rose 23pc week-on-week, with Toowoomba sale back in operation, while Roma store and Warwick yarded similar numbers.

Consignments across NSW more than doubled from last week, while Victoria declined 9pc, with Wodonga yarding 22pc less cattle. Yardings across SA almost doubled, with Naracoorte up 51pc, while WA’s Muchea and Tasmania’s Killafaddy increased 45pc and 3pc, respectively.

Plainer cattle lines

As the dry weather conditions persist, quality is increasing in variability, with greater numbers of plainer conditioned cattle coming forward. More numbers of 1 and 2 score secondary young cattle were reported at CTLX, while restockers and feeder buyers competed strongly for secondary lines at Wodonga.

There were good supplies of young cattle coming off crop and grain reported at Warwick, while reasonable numbers of restockers were present at Roma store along with southern processors showing solid demand for lightweight yearling heifers. Across the southern markets, most of the regular buyers competed in a generally firm to slightly dearer market in places.

Prices ease

At the close of Tuesday’s markets the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) eased 6.25¢ week-on-week, to average 304¢/kg cwt. Trade steers lost 8¢ on 178¢, while medium steers decreased 16¢, to average 164¢/kg. Feeder steers were 6¢ cheaper on 167¢, while heavy steers gained 2¢, to average 189¢/kg. Medium cows were 4¢ lower on 127¢/kg.

Source: MLA NLRS 16-10-2013