Mutton highlight in strong market

ONE of the highlights of recent sales has been the prices paid for bulls, cows and mutton, all stock that have served their purpose and need to be replaced by younger stock.

Interstate cow prices are sitting between 390c and 430c which means that there are big numbers of heavy cows making between $2,400 and $3,200 and plenty of leaner cows going back to the paddock making 350c to 400c. 

Interstate bull markets are quoted at 400c to 450c which means most heavy bulls are making over $4,000 which is a great start into your new bull.

Locally at Powranna our best cows made 370c to 398c and most bulls 330c to 350c with the best cows just over $2,900 and bulls topping at $3,200/head. 

Most of the price difference can be put down to freight costs over Bass Strait but don’t be surprised if these prices don’t improve over the next few months as the supply becomes very tight.

Mutton prices have probably been the story of the month with many interstate markets quoting sheep above 900c and in some places over 1,000c/kg carcass weight and the numbers continue to be very low with only 2,270 at Bendigo, 3,769 at Ballarat and 2,640 at Dubbo while numbers at both Hamilton and Horsham less than 500.

At Powranna on Tuesday, we saw 748 mutton and extra heavy sheep (over 30 kg) made $288 to $304, heavy (24-30 kg) $240 to $274 and medium (18-24 kg) $160 to $250/head. Light sheep made $110 to $180 while restockers bought very light sheep for $48 to $98/head

These prices are great for producers and particularly those who are having a pretty tough season. It also has contributed to the decimation of the wether flock which in years gone by has been a major player in the supply of fine wool throughout Australia.

Interstate lamb markets are also in very good shape and on Monday evening the Eastern States indicators sat at these levels. Heavy export lambs (over 30 kg) 1,111c/kg, heavy (26-30 kg) 1,181c. heavy trade (24-26 kg) 1,223c and trade (20-24 kg) 1,236c/kg carcass weight.

 These are great prices for this time of the year and it is at a time when many of the major lamb abattoirs are taking maintenance breaks with big works like Fletchers at Dubbo off for the next couple of weeks and this follows on from some of the other big boys already in the middle or just finished their break. Interesting times between now and spring when the new seasons lambs start.

Heavier lambs dearer

There was a larger yarding of 1,137 lambs (370 more) at Powranna on Tuesday with more weight in the lead runs. Trade and heavy lambs were slightly cheaper with less competition while restockers were very strong on all light and light trade lambs. Heavy lambs made $302 to $334, trade $220 to $284 and light trade $176 to $230. Restockers paid $180 to $238 for light trade and $120 to $180 for light lambs. There was also a bigger number of 748 mutton (333 more) and the market was much dearer with heavy and extra heavy sheep improving $30 to $40/head. Extra heavy sheep made $288 to $304, heavy $240 to $274, medium $160 to $250 and light $110 to $180 while restockers paid $48 to $98 for very light sheep.

There were 110 trade and export cattle with more trade cattle available. The trade cattle market was very strong with both butchers and restockers keen for their share. Yearling steers made 476c to 504c and heifers 452c to 490c. Grown steers and bullocks made 406c to 444c/kg.

 There were 41 cows with more secondary cows included. 

Most cows met a strong market with both processors and restockers keen for their share. Heavy beef cows made 370c to 398c, leaner 330c to 405c and very lean 200c to 280c. Heavy bulls made 300c to 350c with most around the 330c/kg liveweight mark