SALEYARD prices have continued to rally this week as wet weather persists and numbers significantly reduce across the north.

In Queensland, Blackall and Emerald have both officially cancelled their sales this week (with plans to hold sales next week) and the Clermont sale has been postponed from Tuesday to Friday with only 490 head on offer – ahead of a special sale 2000-2500 head for the Clermont Beef Expo next Friday. Blackall also failed to sell last week, with rain on the horizon.

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator on October 21

All saleyard indicators have increased this week, with the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator increasing 21c since Monday to 992c/kg carcase weight, the feeder steer indicator has increased 13c to 529c/kg, processor cow has increased 9c to 402c/kg and the restocker yearling heifer has increased 4c to 452c/kg.

Rain has now fallen across a large part of Queensland and Northern New South Wales over the past fortnight, with an area between Charleville and Tambo receiving the biggest falls – in some cases more than 170mm.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting the system to continue for the rest of the system to continue into the weekend, with most of the system concentrated around Southern Qld and Northern NSW. There is also expected to be some rain to the north and the south later in the week.

Qld saleyard offerings drop off

Looking at the weekly contributions to the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, Qld’s numbers have clearly reduced this week.

Roma only contributed 1644 to the indicator this week, as opposed to more than 3000 and 5000 in the past two weeks. Contributions from Wagga, Gunnedah and Dubbo have all been higher than Roma. Overall, Roma yarded 3428 head yesterday.

Not as much rain has fallen in the supply area of the Dalby saleyards, which in general is looking for more. Its agents yarded 3280 this morning.