QUEENSLAND direct consignment slaughter grids among competitive processors were unchanged this week, while further 10-20c/kg declines were noted in offers in some southern states, where some prices have now fallen 50c/kg since early October.

Slaughter cattle supply remains solid heading towards November, with few weather disruptions evident.

Wile some Queensland processors have been noticeably more active in saleyards early this week, most suggest they are now well covered for kills up to the end of the first week in November.

Large grainfed numbers closing-out in recent weeks are supporting that trend. Cattle numbers on feed at the end of the June quarter were up 64,000 head on the March quarter, and some of those extra numbers are finishing programs during October. A rise of 64,000 over a quarter effectively represents an additional 5300 grainfeds a week, looking for a processor home.

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 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 530c/kg. Some plants in the region appear a little better placed than others for rosters into November.

Central Queensland rates are mostly 10c behind those numbers.

Some processors in southern regions of NSW have dropped another 10-20c/kg off their offers for both grass steers and cows this week, with cows currently at 510c/kg and four tooth grass export steer no HGP on 590c. Just three or four weeks ago, those same grids were 50c/kg higher, with cows at 560c, as spring supply has lifted.

In eastern parts of South Australia, we’ve seen grids this morning showing 630c/kg on grass four tooth ox and 570c/kg on heavy cows.

Slaughter surges to season-high

National adult cattle slaughter lifted to its highest level all season last week, but part of that was influenced by short kills the week before due to public holidays.

The NLRS total for the week ended Friday reached 143,806, up almost 20,000 head on the prior week when many plants operated only four days. The previous highest tally this year was back on week ending 28 June, when numbers hit 143,700 head.

Queensland, alone, added almost 13,000 head last week, with NSW +6000.

Saleyards channel

Physical sales held earlier this week have shown a generally softer price trend – especially for cows – on higher numbers.

Gunnedah sale this morning yarded 2650, up 20pc on the week before. There were limited numbers of heavy grown steers purchased by processors with the market trend cheaper. The well finished heavy grown heifers sold to cheaper trends while the lighter weights averaged a little higher. There were cheaper trends through the cow market with heavy 3 and 4 scores down by as much as 8c/kg.

Wagga sale yesterday yarded 4390, down 700 on the prior week. Prices declined on weaker competition. The export sale attracted a smaller group of buyers, with heavy steers selling firmly averaging 340c/kg. Bullock prices varied based on age, ranging from 320-371c. In the cow market, demand weakened across all categories, with heavy descriptions down 7c, with older, baggy types heavily discounted. Heavy cows sold from 255-298c, while leaner types dipped by 4c, averaging 250c/kg.

Wodonga sale this morning yarded 1400, up 8pc on last week. The  market fluctuated with buyers unwilling to chase the market, this was most notable from the domestic processors. In the export market  competition was steady. Heavy steers were unchanged averaging 331c/kg. Bullocks sold to a bigger group of buyers  to average 338c. The larger offering of cows met the usual  field of buyers and prices weakened for big heavy cows by 13c/kg to average 288c/kg. It was a solid market for leaner grades under 520kg, with prices unchanged to 2c softer.

Warwick sale this morning yarded 1429, similar to last week. Good heavy cows sold to dearer trends with bullocks firm. Bullocks over 600kg made 347c to average 322c/kg. Grown heifers to processors made 320c to average 301c, while light weight plain cows made 251c to average 208c/kg. Heavy score 3 cows to processors made 270c to average 264c with good heavy cows gaining 3c selling to 290c and averaging 275c.