Rain’s trickle effect

Although there was no significant local rain over the last week, Victoria has had a bit more and most importantly Queensland and Northern NSW has had some very good falls with 50 to 150 mm in many parts. 

Although this rain does not affect us immediately, they will have a big effect on the northern markets which will affectsouthern beef markets in the very near future. 

As an example, one or two Victorian exporters have been buying bullocks and cows out of the big yards like Dalby and because of the rain the numbers will fall almost immediately and therefore puts pressure on these Victorians and that will have an effect in the Southern saleyards.

Last Thursday agents yarded 2,274 store cattle at the October sale at Powranna with more weight than the September sale and in general there were some good lines of both yearlings and weaners with also a mixture of crossbreds and small pens. The market was very good with competition coming from a number of Victorian orders which took about 700 head added to buyers from the North East, North West and Northern Midlands.

Heavy yearling steers (400 + kg) made $1,940 to $2,400 (av. 490c). medium (330-400 kg) $1,620 to $2,080 (500c) and light $1,180 to $1,760 (540c). Heavy steer weaners (330 + kg) made $1,900 to $2,180 (570c), medium (280-330 kg) $1,420 to $1,680 (520c), light (200-280 kg) $1,080 to $1,500 (605c) and very small $1,040 to $1,140/head.

Heavy yearling heifers made $1,700 to $2,380 (440c), medium $1,440 to $1,600 (450c) and light $1,060 to $1,500 (460c). Medium heifer weaners made $1,440, light $920 to $1,260 (490c) and very small $970 to $1,100 (550c).

There were 40 cows and calves and the best made $2,500 to $3,300 and the $1,200 to $1,950 per unit.

Another interesting snippet – Thailand is quickly becoming one of the most exciting growth stories for Australian red meat exports. 

MLA says Thailand is now the largest importer of Australian rump caps in the world and there are opportunities for lamb.

Better quality in new lambs

There was a better quality yarding of 1,818 lambs at Powranna on Tuesday with fewer old lambs as that season comes to an end. 

There was a very good line-up of new lambs and these sold to a stronger market with heavy pens making $326 to $328 and trade $234 to $300/head. 

Although not as big lines as last week there was a good selection of light new lambs and these were bought by restockers with most making $186 to $208. Heavy old lambs sold for $284 to $314 and trade $204 to $262/head. 

There were also some big lines of light Merino old lambs that made between $110 and $140 and were mainly bought by Victorian restockers.

There was a larger number of 1,170 mutton and all sheep sold to strong competition with extra heavy making $230 to $272, heavy $202 to $270, medium $154 to $192 and light $132 to $146/head.

  There was another small number of 76 trade and export cattle with about 40% being cows and also a few pens of light store cattle.

Trade cattle sold to a similar market with yearling steers making 422c to 480c, heifers 420c to 460c and the secondary steers and heifers 402c to 420c/kg. There were 31 cows penned and all met with good competition with heavy cows making 370c to 374c, leaner 304c to 342c and very lean 250c to 320c/kg liveweight.