SOME southern Australian direct consignment processor grids have shed-off another 10c/kg in offers seen early this week, while Queensland processors have left their paddock-purchase offers unchanged.

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.

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.

Some southern states direct consignment grids have been adjusted downwards 10c this week, on top of another 10c/kg fall the week before, as tightness in local supply starts to ease.

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 590c/kg on good boner cows and four-tooth heavy grass ox 660c.

Slaughter numbers lift

National slaughter rates lifted last week, reaching 140,402 head for the seven days ended Friday, 3pc higher than the week before. All states bar Western Australia showed modest to large increases, led by Tasmania where numbers jumped 2600 head after one large processor returned to work after an earlier week-long closure.

Queensland’s kill at just short of 75,000 head was the second highest seven-day tally this year, up 9.6pc on this time last year (week 37), while NSW at 33,330 head was 2.2pc higher than year ago levels.

Saleyards numbers edge higher

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

Gunnedah sale this morning yarded 2700, down 10pc on last week. The offloading of female cattle in large numbers continued. Some of the largest price falls were in the lighter weight classes. There were cheaper trends for the heavy grown steers with age accounting for some of the price fall. There were cheaper trends for the most part in the cow market, as much as 11c/kg on the well finished heavyweights.

Wagga sale yesterday yarded 3600, down 200 on last week, as dry weather across some parts of the supply area create challenges for some vendors, with water becoming an issue. The export market experienced solid demand from all export companies. Heavy steers and bullocks were in excellent condition with some off crop and showing plenty of finish. The bulk sold from 320-380c/kg. The cow market showed signs of improving from the beginning of the sale with most cow buyers in the fray. Prices for heavy cows strengthened throughout the sale, gaining 7c to average 340c. Leaner cows were in high demand, and this resulted in a price jump of 18-20c with very few cows selling below 300c/kg. The main run of D3 cows under 530kg made from 260c to 334c/kg.

This morning’s interim report from Roma (full report tomorrow) saw a yarding of 6528 head, down 500 on last week. A mixed quality yarding was penned however the market is firm to slightly dearer. Grown steers 500-600kg sold from 310-345c/kg, while 600-750kg steers topping 349c. There were about 1100 cows penned which sold to stronger market. The score 2s sold from 200-275c with the 3s from 276-334c.