INCREASING availability of spring slaughter cattle is pushing some southern states slaughter grids lower, to the tune of another 10-20c/kg on top of 10c/kg falls last week.

At the same time most Queensland direct consignment offers are unchanged for another week.

Disruptive weather between now and mid-December may be one of the few influences that greatly distorts current market dynamics between now and the closure of the 2024 slaughter season, in ten or eleven weeks. Some livestock buyers think the dye has been cast for the remainder of the year in the Queensland market, with adequate supply evident meaning prices may not change that much, barring weather.

In southern Queensland, over-the-hooks grids from competitive export processors are this morning showing 590-610c/kg for four-tooth steer with implant (some companies offering 600c with no pill), and cows 530-540c/kg. Some plants in the region appear a little better placed than others for rosters later in October.

Central Queensland rates are mostly 10c behind those numbers.

Some processors in southern regions of NSW have dropped 20c/kg off their offers for both grass steers and cows this week, with cows currently at 530c/kg and four tooth grass export steer no HGP on 610c. Just three or four weeks ago, those same grids were 30c/kg higher, with cows at 560c.

In eastern parts of South Australia, we’ve seen grids this morning showing 570c/kg on heavy cows.

Southern processors continue to operate in the Queensland market well into October – partly due to short supply at home and partly due to expanding daily tallies at some Victorian, NSW and SA plants.

Slaughter well down

The national seven-day slaughter for the week ended Friday was substantially down, due to last Monday’s public holidays in NSW, Queensland and South Australia.

It meant last week’s national tally reached only 123,980 head, down more than 16,000 head or 12pc on the previous week. Queensland’s kill alone shed off 11,000 head, with NSW down 5800 and SA 700. Small weekly increases were seen in Victoria, Western Australia and Tassie.

Saleyards channel

Most physical sales held early this week have shown a downwards price trend, with larger numbers in some cases due to no sale last week as a result of Monday public holidays.

Gunnedah yarded 2060 head this morning, down about 35pc on last week, due to local rain and the drop in the market. Heavy weights were in good numbers with processors and feedlots catered for, with some high quality heavy steers and cows penned. Heavy grown steers to process sold to a cheaper trend with some quality related average price improvement. There was a sharp downward correction in the cow market particularly noticeable in the well finished heavyweights.

Wagga yarded 5125 head yesterday, up 10pc, with no sale held last week due to the holiday. Not all processors made purchases or attended the sale, leading to a price correction across several categories. Heavy steers slipped by 7c with demand at times patchy, with the bulk selling from 290-368c/kg. In contrast, bullocks improved by 11c, with prices from 312-388c/kg. Cows faced a decline in demand, with competition notably weaker, this resulted in a price drop of 20-28c. Heavy cows sold from 276-310c, while leaner types from 200-272c.

Wodonga sale this morning yarded 1100, down 20pc on last week. Quality was very mixed with quite a few clean up pens throughout the offering, in varying condition. The  market fluctuated around quality and not all export buyers operated. In the export market  competition was weaker due to the smaller group of active buyers. Heavy steers gained 4c to average 333c, but bullocks sold to a small  group of buyers which resulted in a price decline of 12c  to average 337c. The reduced offering of cows met a larger  field of buyers and prices were similar to last week. Heavy cows traded from 286-316c.

This morning’s Roma sale was still progressing as this report was filed, with an offering of 5635, down about 1600 on last week due to scattered showers in the area. A quality yarding of oats bullocks and steers as well as prime condition cows, with the market 5-10c/kg dearer in places. Quality pens of oats bullocks sold to 354c/kg, heavy bulls to 270c with bulls less than 600kg to 330c/kg. Full report tomorrow.