SEPTEMBER is traditionally a tight month for slaughter cattle turnoff in large parts of Eastern Australia, and supply appears to be somewhat stretched again this year, as normal.

National slaughter throughput last week dipped three percent or almost 4500 head, with reductions recorded in all states bar South Australia, which edged just 21 head higher.

Seasonal week-long closures for maintenance was a factor in some southern states, but even Queensland numbers fell about a thousand head, or 1pc for the week ended Friday. The year-on-year comparisons are narrowing as the back half of the year progresses, with last week less than 9pc above the same week last year. Eight weeks ago, the year-on-year difference was still +20pc, and four weeks ago, that gap had narrowed to 13.5pc.

Grid prices

After last week’s widespread 10-20c/kg price reductions in Queensland slaughter grids, over-the-hooks quotes in the northern state are unchanged this week. Competitive processors in the southern Queensland region are this morning offering 540c/kg on good quality heavy cows, and anywhere from 600-620c on four-tooth grass heavy steer, with implant. Some operators have 610c for no implant steer.

Central Queensland plants are this week typically 10-20c behind southern Queensland.

The vibe picked up from larger Queensland processors this morning was that while numbers are currently adequate for the next couple of weeks of kills, supply is far from ‘comfortable’ at this point in the year. Any late September or early October rain could see availability dry up rapidly. Central Queensland plants appear to be relatively worse off, bookings wise, perhaps partly due to the feedlot factor.

After a couple of weeks where southern states processor buyer ranks were thinner at Queensland saleyards, numbers swelled again this week with greater buyer strength out of Victoria and southern NSW. Clearly, killable cattle are still scarce at home, and it may be a few weeks yet before southern operators can avoid the big freight cost to get cattle home, by sourcing locally.

Some southern states direct consignment grids have been adjusted downwards 10c this week, with offers in southern NSW showing cows now 560c and four-tooth grass ox no HGP 630c. That change followed a larger 20c/kg reduction on Monday last week.

Eastern regions of South Australia are also back 10c this week in over-the-hooks quotes, with offers seen this morning of 600c/kg on good boner cows and four-tooth heavy grass ox 650c.

Saleyards numbers edge higher

In the saleyards channel early this week, markets were reasonably firm in most centres.

Gunnedah sale this morning yarded 2970, up 70 on last week, with another large offloading of young cattle. There was a fair supply of heavy grown cattle along with a good selection of cows. The cow market showed improvement under strong demand with all classes selling to a dearer trend. Heavy cows score 4 averaged 315c/kg, up 13c, selling to 333c.

Wagga sale yesterday yarded 3800, up 300 on last week, as dry weather across  parts of the supply area created challenges for some vendors, particularly as water-related issues have emerged. The export market experienced stronger demand, with two major export companies competing for the best-finished pens. Heavy steers and bullocks lifted 8-15c, selling from 322-393c/kg. The cow market showed signs of recovery as two additional processors re-entered the market after an absence. Prices for heavy cows strengthened throughout the sale, gaining 11c to average 333c/kg. Leaner types were in high demand, selling from 280-328c.

Wodonga yarded 900 this morning, up 250 on last week. In the export market quality was very good, with bullocks and steers selling from 329-388c/kg. In the cow sale it was a standout feature of the sale that good well-finished cows were in short supply, with secondary types making up a large portion of the offering.  Heavy cows were mostly unchanged  selling from 318-350c. Leaner grades made from 240-306c.

This morning’s interim report from Roma (full report tomorrow)  showed a mixed quality yarding of 7025, down a little from last week. Grown steers 500-600kg made to 340c with the +600kg steers selling to 354c. Cows were yet to sell at the time the report was filed.

Naracoorte this morning yarded 730, up about 200 on last week. Grown steers were to 20c cheaper, grown heifers sold mostly firm. Medium and heavy cows gained 10-20c. Heavy cows sold from 300-355c, mediumweights from 248-290c, and lightweights 70-170c/kg.