State’s big divide

MORE widespread rains throughout South Australia, Victoria and Southern NSW. has gone a long way to setting up a very good early spring with many falls of between 20 and 60mm across many regions. 

Unfortunately, further north in Northern NSW. and Queensland the season has turned very dry and as a result there are a big number of cattle flowing onto the market from there.

Locally  there is a big divide between the North West, North East and Northern Midlands experiencing a promising late winter while Southern regions are still in need of another big rain going into the spring.

Cattle prices are still very good with over-the-hooks program cattle prices in Tasmania at very good levels which means producers have good money to go back into the market when ready.

Lamb and mutton prices have also eased but also off some very big highs. In lamb markets most processors are starting to look at when they can swing over to new seasons lambs but this will be a few weeks away.

The new lambs coming forward to be processed are making around 1200c/kg in the saleyards with many carrying $8 to $10 skins

 The lighter end of the new lambs are been keenly sought after by restockers and feeders who are prepared to pay $180 to $240 for suitable types.

Old lambs, although a bit cheaper, are still selling well with most heavy pens making 1,050c to 1,100c and trade more like 1,100c to 1,150c/kg carcass weight. There are still a number of big abattoirs not killing anywhere capacity but that will change if the prices ends up around 1,000c/kg as the Spring flush starts.A number of producers took forward contracts at up to 1,200 and a lot between 1,100c and 1,200c for delivery July, August and September.

Mutton prices have come back significantly over the last couple of weeks as more sheep become available. With early lambs being weaned, older ewes will come to the market and with more numbers price will ease a bit but most sheep are still working out around between 700c and 800c/kg which is still a good return for cast-for-age sheep.

Powranna yarding light

There were very small numbers across all yards at Powranna on Tuesday as we await the spring. There were 50 trade and export cattle penned and quality was very mixed which was reflected in the prices. Yearling steers made 456c to 480c and restockers bought steers for 390c to 480c. The best heifers made 448c to 510c and the seconds 430c to 450c/kg. There were 18 cows and the heavy cow market was cheaper with the best making 376c to 392c, leaner 334c to 354c and very lean D1 cows 290c to 330c with most of the lean cows being bought by restockers. The few heavy bulls made 330c to 342c and topped at $3,729/head.

There were 746 lambs with few prime pens included and most being light store types. Processors paid $240 to $278 for trade lambs and $210 to $218 for light trade. Restockers bought light trade for $170 to $210, light $120 to $202 and very small $70 to $108/head. There were only 100 mutton penned.