Breeding pays off in mixed yarding

THE  quality at Powranna was mixed which is expected given the season particularly in the southern half of the state with a big number of split pens and small lots.

In general, the best bred pens sold to strong competition while most of the others were $50 to $150 cheaper than recent sales with the secondary and crossbred cattle affecting the overall averages. 

Heavy yearling steers (400 + kg) made $1,760 to $2,260, medium (330-400 kg) $1,060 to $1,940 and lighter $960 to $1,660. Heavy weaner steers (330 + kg) made $1,480 to $1,980 (av. 500c/kg), medium (280-330 kg) $1,280 to $1,740 (515c), light (200-280 kg) $1,020 to $1,500 (530c) and very small $680 to $1,040/head.

Heavy yearling heifers made $1,780 to $1,960 and medium $1,540 to $1,660 with many of these being bought to be breeders. Heavy weaner heifers made $1,240 to $1,680 (390c), medium $1,160 to $1,240 (415c), light $750 to $1,250 and very small $520 to $700/head.

Interstate cattle markets have taken a lift over the past fortnight as numbers in the North slowed and many parts of NSW and Victoria received some most welcome rains. Cow prices improved a further 10c during the last week with Victorian prices start to align with NSW and Queensland prices (these prices have been up to 50c/kg apart over the last 6 months) with most heavy cows quoted between 380c and 400c and the seconds 280c to 330c/kg. 

At Powranna on Tuesday we saw 120 cows penned and the heavy cows made 330c to 348c but the highlight was the strength of store buyers who paid 290c to 340c for D2 cows and 242c to 330c for very lean D1 cows.

 There were very few of these store cows under 300c/kg liveweight which meant most lean cows made $1,200 to $1700/head. 

There is obviously an expectation that cow prices will improve as numbers contract as the winter draws near. 

Mutton prices are the other highlight at the moment with interstate markets being quoted between 800c and 900c/kg carcass weight on the back of small numbers. 

At Powranna on Tuesday extra heavy sheep made $220 to $298, heavy $200 to $220, medium $152 to $202 and light $112 to $122/head with a lot of averages around 750c/kg. 

There is no doubt that there is a shortage of mutton nationwide and while this remains it is hard to see these mutton prices getting much cheaper. Lamb prices have stabilized around 1,050c to 1,100c/kg in most interstate yards but the interesting thing is that the kill numbers are way down on last year with almost all the big abattoirs killing much smaller numbers. This space will be interesting between now and the spring as to where prices trend and also kill numbers.