RECENT monsoonal weather across areas of North and Northwest Queensland has had little impact on cattle slaughter operations over the past week – with the exceptions of JBS Townsville and Borthwicks Mackay which both lost days.

Central Queensland plants have been much less affected, and have managed to fill slots cancelled due to last week’s rain with other cattle, losing no time at all over the past week.

In general terms, rain from the northern monsoonal influences was good to excellent in places, but patchy. Some areas in the Queensland Gulf received anywhere from 20-30mm to 200mm within short distances, Beef Central was told.

With the return of hot weather, forward over-the-hooks cattle commitments in Queensland are now well advanced, with some plants now accepting bookings for week commencing 3 March.

Grid prices have found a level of equilibrium this week, with few changes evident across the three eastern states or South Australia.

Typical quotes seen this morning from competitive processors in southern Queensland have offers of 560c/kg on heavy cows, down 10-20c on a fortnight ago, and 630c/kg on four-tooth heavy grass ox (some grids offering an extra 10c for HGP-free), also back 10-20c on late January. Central Queensland sites are typically 10c/kg behind those rates.

Below the border, grids seen from processors in southern NSW have offers this morning of 580c on heavy cows and 640c on grass ox, with the eastern parts of South Australia showing 640c and 590c. Both are much the same as last week.

Production rises

Despite some days lost at plants in North Queensland last week due to monsoonal rain, national slaughter numbers leapt higher last week, after the previous Australia Day holiday-shortened week.

National slaughter for the seven days ended Friday climbed to 140,296 head, up about 15,500 on the same week last year.

Processing labour capacity is already shaping as a limiting factor on rates of kill again in 2025. Early kills this year are already within 5000 head of the largest kills seen all year in 2024, and will only grow further in coming weeks, heading towards Easter.

Saleyards trends mixed

Saleyards trading saw some recovery in slaughter types in sales held this morning and yesterday.

Gunnedah sale this morning yarded 1100 head, less than half last week. Well finished grown heifers sold to a slightly dearer trend while there was some improvement in the cow market where all attending processors competed strongly whilst endeavouring to secure supply requirements. Most cow categhories lifted 7-10c.

Wodonga saw a further decline in numbers, to 1200 this morning, with a noticeable drop in the quality. Feeder steers experienced a notable gain of 25c, with prices ranging from 305-357c/kg. On the export front, processors showed a keen interest in young steers +600kg. Bullocks saw a positive shift, gaining 25c and selling from 310-385c. Heavy steers eased 3c to achieve prices from 320-335c. The cow sale presented a mixed yarding, and attracting a larger group of buyers. Heavy cows saw an improvement of 9c, with prices ranging from 272-304c/kg. Leaner cows sold from 210-270c.

Wagga sale yesterday eased to 5400 head, with a noticeable improvement in quality. The presence of a significant number of feedlot buyers, alongside several key export processors, helped the market gain traction, resulting in price increases across most classes. The demand for feeder steers was particularly strong, with medium weights jumping 9c to fetch from 305-370c/kg. Processor competition was strong for heavy bullocks, selling from 315-378c. Heavy steers saw fluctuating demand, driven by age and breed, with prices ranging from 292-328c. As the sale progressed, heavy cow prices rose, with heavy cows making 272-309c and leaner types with some fat cover 240-284c.

Naracoorte numbers rose this morning to 1288 head. Quality was very mixed with something to suit all orders as the market sold to mainly cheaper rates. Grown steers and bullocks ranged from 310-345c. Heavy cows sold from 255-300c to drop up to 14c, with lighter lots from 200-258c.

Despite rain further west, there was a slight lift in numbers at Roma store sale this morning, yarding 5321 head. A preliminary report (full details tomorrow) showed the market as firm to marginally dearer. Bullocks +600kg sold from 331-349c, with cows yet to sell.