DIRECT consignment offers from processors were mostly unchanged across eastern Australia this week, despite some recent rain impact on supply in some areas.

This followed some 10-20c reductions in offers from processors in some southern regions last week.

Competitive processors in the southern Queensland region are this morning offering 530-540c/kg on good quality heavy cows, and anywhere from 600-620c on four-tooth grass heavy steer, with implant.

Central Queensland plants are this week typically 10-20c behind southern Queensland, but worth noting that for one large processor, its plants in central and southern parts of the state are identical this week, following an earlier reduction in southern parts of the state.

Most Queensland processors are now well covered for supply through the first half of October, but are looking for numbers later in the month. Some inflows of good oats-finished cattle are being processed this week, and could extend until November, one southern Queensland processor said.

In southern Australia, grids are mostly steady this week, after some operators reduced rates 10-20c/kg last week. Tight local slaughter cattle supply continued throughout September, and some operators are now anticipating that it won’t be until November that local supply starts to lift.

Offers seen this morning in southern NSW showing cows now 550c and four-tooth grass ox no HGP 630c. Eastern regions of South Australia are also back 10c this week in over-the-hooks quotes, with offers seen this morning of 640c/kg for four-tooth heavy grass ox and 590c/kg on good boner cows.

Victorian and southern NSW processors continued to operate strongly in Queensland over the past week, extending much later into the year than is traditionally the case in northern regions. It’s been the case right through the winter months, but to see the large southern processors like Midfield, AMG, Ralphs and others continuing to purchase northern cows and steers until early October is unusual, to say the least.

Saleyards system

In the saleyards channel, some selling centres saw reduced offerings early this week due to recent rain, although prices are little changed.

Gunnedah sale this morning offered 2320 head, down 780 on last week following recent rain. Young cattle were well supplied along with cows. The condition of the offering reflected to very good seasonal conditions being experienced over the drawing area. The heavy weights were less affected where condition compared to weight was less of a concern.  Well finished heavy grown steers to process sold to a slightly dearer trend with an improvement in quality. Mediumweight cows were also slightly cheaper while there was a small improvement in the heavy weight classes.

Wagga sale yesterday yarded 4570, down 11pcv on the previous week. Not all exporters were present at the sale, yet the market remained solid across most categories. Overall, the market trended sideways. Heavy steers averaged 4c higher, trading from 300–370c/kg. Bullocks remained steady, with prices unchanged to 4c lower, ranging from 330-366c/kg. The number of cows available decreased to only 470 head this week, with limited supply contributed to a strong market as buyers sought to fill their loads. Heavy cows sold from 310-339c, while leaner cows lost 6c, selling from 264-310c.

This morning’s Roma store yarding lifted 5pc on last week to just short of 9000 head. The sale was still in progress at the time this item was posted, but an interim report said the yarding consisted of prime well finished oats bullocks as well as large numbers quality local and western bred late weaners. The market was firm to slightly dearer. Prime well finished oats bullocks over 600kg were sought after, making to 340c/kg, while heavy bulls sold to 278c. Cows were yet to be sold. Full Roma report tomorrow.