SOME Queensland direct consignment slaughter grids have continued to trend higher over the past week, while southern states are generally unchanged.

A strengthening trend in currency value is not helping exporters, with the A$ worth around US66.7c this morning – up around 2c over the past month – but with challenges for US and Brazilian beef in different markets around the world, the impact is less than normal, meat traders suggest.

Underlying export demand for shipments heading into new year remain strong.

Some of the northern over the hooks slaughter cattle price movements made on Friday are about adjustments to offers to keep pace with competitors who moved earlier.

Best offers seen this morning for upcoming kills in southern Queensland have heavy cows on 670c/kg, with 750-760c/kg available for four-tooth heavy grass ox. Some of those numbers are up 10-30c/kg on this time last week.

Central Queensland plants are generally 20c/kg behind those offers.

Several southern Queensland export processors have forward contracts available for 100-day grainfed flatback steer for late December delivery at 770c/kg, up 20c on November cattle. However grainfed supply chain contacts are saying low to mid 800s is necessary to make the numbers stack-up, given current rising feeder steer prices (see last week’s 100-day trading budget report).

In southern states, competitive in eastern parts of South Australia and southern NSW this morning at 740c/kg on heavy cows, and grass four-tooth ox no implant 810c/kg.

Most Queensland processors now appear to have bookings covered reasonably well out to week commencing 6 October. Southern processors are generally more current.

A series of King’s Birthday (Qld) and Labour Day holidays (NSW & South Australia) early next month will shorten weekly kills during week commencing 6 October. That’s the last significant holiday stoppage for the year until annual closures kick in on December 12 or 19.

Southern NSW and Victorian processors continue to rely heavily on cattle from further north.

The northern sourcing area continues to grow, with southern processors now sourcing cattle both via saleyards and out of the paddock in ticky areas of Queensland, adding another cost and logistical  layer to getting the cattle home for slaughter. Victorian operators were active again at Roma and Warwick sales this morning, with consignments evidently heading as far south as JBS Brooklyn and Midfield Warrnambool.

Credible sources yesterday reported Northern Territory cows bought over-the-scales near Daly Waters, for prices around $1400/head, destined for slaughter at Warrnambool. That’s a transport distance of  3046km, worth well over $300 a head in freight.

Some participants suggest it will be well after Christmas before southern processors see any real run of fat cattle in their local area, meaning northern buying is likely to remain vigorous for another three months at least.

What’s evident is that there’s a two-speed demand from southern processors at present – those plants with access to a consistent grainfed kill to supplement their daily throughput appear much less urgent than those reliant mostly on grassfed production. Some sites, including NH Foods Wingham, have dropped days recently under the sustained challenge to supply. In fact some southern plants are this month killing a few grainfeds from company feedlots much further north, Beef Central was told.

Saleyards trends see cows strengthening again

Southern saleyards showed a generally firming trend for slaughter-suitable cattle early this week – especially for cows.

Wodonga sale this morning yarded only 880 head. Among export lines heavy steers and bullocks suitable for processors were scarce and sold within a range from 460-488c/kg. Heavy cows were keenly contested, with the bulk making from 440c to 460c/kg. Leaner cows under 520kg, were limited with the better covered selling from 320-396c/kg.

Gunnedah sale this morning yarded 3460 head, down about 500 on last week. Trends varied to the dearer side for feeders and cows. Grown heifers to process were up 22c/kg to sell from 425-472c/kg. Medium cows to 31c/kg better 320-375c/kg. Score 3 and 4 cows 2-8c/kg better selling from 344-445c/kg.

Wagga sale yesterday saw 2100 yarded. Heavy steers and bullocks sold from 460-533c, while heavy heifers topped at 507c/kg. The market showed strong price trends for heavy cows, with intense bidding leading to a gain of 5c, resulting in sales between 410-450c/kg. Leaner cows less than 520kg also experienced stronger price trends, gaining 15c and fetching 324-394c/kg.

Warwick sale in southern QLD this morning yarded 1200, with all the regular local and southern processors attending and operated on a very strong market for export lines. Grown steers to processors sold to 430c and averaged from 414c to 417c/kg. Lightweight plain conditioned cows to processors made 328c to average 284c/kg. Score 2 and 3 heavy cows to processors sold to 370c and averaged from 321-353c/kg. The best heavy cows topped at 415c/kg.

Naracoorte sale yarded only 943 head this morning, with half the yarding made up of cows following recent strong returns. Grown steers sold 30-40c/kg stronger with the grown heifers selling 20-40c/kg dearer in places. Cows sold 10c/kg stronger. Medium weight cows sold from 320- 370c, with heavy score 3 and 4 cows selling from 415-453c/kg. The 2 score cows sold from 378-410c/kg.

Roma yarded 8402 head this morning, with the market responding to the quality presented. Grown steers 400-500kg sold to 478c/kg, while 500-600kg bullocks made to 468c/kg. Bullocks +600kg to sold to 434c/kg to processors. Cows were yet to sell – full report tomorrow.

• There was no weekly NLRS slaughter report available by the time this report was filed. Results will be added here later.