AFTER some eye-catching 30-40c/kg price rises a fortnight ago, direct consignment slaughter cattle grid offers across the eastern and southern states are mostly unchanged this week.

Some market watchers sense that the slaughter cattle market has now found its peak, and may come under some pressure heading into July. The filling of Australia’s China beef quota today (see separate story) has dampened demand for Australian beef, and may start to reflect in cattle pricing, trade sources suggest.

The unusually mild conditions so far this winter – plenty of areas in Queensland and northern NSW are yet to record a decent frost, and daytime temperatures have been unseasonally warm  – has held some cattle back. But it is felt among cattle buyers that once frosts set in and feed quality starts to deteriorate, more sale decisions will be prompted.

The recent slaughter cattle price jump has prompted more forward bookings, with some large Queensland operators now taking slots for the first and second weeks in July. Tax management considerations for some have also seen available kill rosters after 1 July starting to populate, several northern operators said this morning.

Southern Queensland processor grids seen this morning showed good quality heavy cows this week at 740-750c/kg, unchanged from last week, with heavy grass steer four-teeth quoted at 820-840c/kg.

Central Queensland supply is less challenged, with rates this week anywhere from 20-40c/kg behind competitors in southern regions of the state. However some individual private paddock deals have unfolded in CQ in recent days at equivalent rates higher than that.

The lift in Queensland offers since May has not deterred southern processors from operating in the north this week, with Midfield, AMG and others still described as ‘active’ in the market. Some respite on freight costs as diesel fuel prices soften has helped.

In southern parts of NSW, some export processors have reasonable supply on hand, and have left grids unchanged from last week. Eastern regions of South Australia showed heavy cows as high as 800c on MSA-eligible cows this morning, +20c on figure seen only three weeks ago, and four-tooth grass ox on 880c/kg up 10c from late May.

Saleyards trends

There’s been a general, if modest decline in saleyard numbers this week, with prices for some heavy and secondary cattle starting to waiver.

Gunnedah yarded 1900 this morning, down 5pc on last week. Prime grown cattle and cows were limited. Restocker and feeder cattle were mostly dearer while cows and export cattle were cheaper.  Prime grown cattle topped at 496c/kg. with score 2 and 3 cows 3-5c cheaper. Score 2 cows made from 280-347c/kg and score 3s 345-390c/kg. Prime heavy cows were more affected, back 20c, and ranging from 388-430c to average 409c/kg.

Tamworth yarded 2272 head yesterday, but missed last week’s sale due to the holiday. All major buyers were present in a market that saw restocker and feeder cattle considerably dearer while the cows and export cattle were slightly cheaper.  Prime grown cattle to the processor ranged from 350-468c/kg. Cows were limited and back on quality. Score 2 cows made from 310-338c/kg, while score 3s made from 350-390c/kg. Prime heavy cows were 390-405c/kg

Carcoar yarded 2748 this morning, up 600.. All categories were well represented and there was a full field of buyers, selling to a strong market. Feeder steers were considerably dearer, with the light and middleweights selling from 500-619c, and heavy grown feeders topped at 564c/kg. Heavy grown steers were firm, selling from 430-520c, and heifers sold from 402-488c/kg. Score 2 and 3 cows were a few cents better, ranging from 250-398c. Heavy prime cows were steady, reaching 426c, to average 411c/kg.

Mortlake yarded 2680 yesterday, a substantial increase of 745 compared to the last sale a fortnight ago. Over half the yarding consisted of cows – beef and dairy. The market was stronger by 20c/kg and in places increased by 30-40c/kg particularly for cattle suited to feed-on and restocker interest in the trade and bullock categories. Most cows remained firm with some selling slightly dearer however some very light cows were softer by up to 30c/kg. Bullocks sold to a top of 544c while grown steers reached 560c/kg. Heavy beef cows made from 390-441c while medium weights sold from 350-390c/kg.