Restockers push up cattle prices

PROBABLY one of the biggest drivers of the current cattle market is the strength of restockers and feeders and we see this not only in store sales but also prime saleyards. 

As an example, last week agents yarded 2,284 store cattle at Mortlake in Western Victoria which is a much smaller number than usual with most competition coming from restockers and feedlots from most of Victoria and South Australia. 

Most cattle were quoted a further 10c to 20c dearer than recent high rates with grown Angus steers making 482c to 584c while younger Angus steers made 540c to 586c and light weights (under 280 kg) made 520c to 582c/kg liveweight.

 F1 Angus/Friesian steers attracted plenty of attention from feeders and restockers selling for 456c to 546c for older steers and the younger and lighter making 450c to 640c/kg.

Grown and yearling Angus heifers made 450c to 514c while weaner heifers made 440c to 528c while crossbreds made 400c to 530c/kg live.

Also last week at Leongatha in South East Victoria agents yarded 3,300 cattle and this sale attracted strong NSW interest particularly from the big feedlots with plenty of grown steers making 500c to 600c and yearlings and weaners 585c to 681c. 

Young heifers are selling from 467c to 575c/kg. One interesting comment around this story is that because of the very good over-the-hooks prices many grass finishers are selling at lower weights and so that puts them back in the market earlier than usual. 

Many of these producers are selling 4-6 months earlier than normal which in turn may have some interesting effects in the future.

Interstate prime markets this week have shown slightly easier tendencies this week but only by a few cents. Best trade cattle are making 500c to 560c while the main run of yearling steers (400 kg plus) averaged 574c at Wagga while plainer types of young cattle are selling from 450c to 490c. 

Cow prices are averaging 397c in Victoria and 337c in Queensland and at Wagga on Monday heavy cows made 385c to 418c and at Mortlake 390c to 432c/kg live. Good prices all round.

Mainly cows at Powranna

There was a small yarding of trade and export cattle at Powranna on Tuesday with about 60% being cows.

The small number of trade cattle sold to strong competition with yearling steers making 482c to 488c and heifers 420c to 510c/kg. 

There were a similar number of 44 cows and this market was 5c to 10c dearer with heavy beef cows making 375c to 400c and leaner 350c to 372c/kg liveweight.

There was a smaller yarding of 476 lambs (661 less) with less light lambs but a small but good selection of trade and heavy lambs. 

Heavy lambs made $254 to $336 and trade $230 to $260. Restockers bought light trade lambs for $160 to $198/head.

There was a smaller penning of 593 mutton (155 less) and this market started firm on last week but weakened as the sale progressed to see some sheep loose last week’s gains.

Extra heavy sheep made $212 to $298, heavy $250 to $295, medium $132 to $176 and light $100 to $150. Restockers bought very light sheep for $92 to $100/head.