Rain and restockers boost prices

Reduced numbers at saleyards and rainfall spiked restocker action and firmed up prime cattle prices.

Steady demand: Demand for well-finished trade cattle was strong across Victoria last week. Picture: Jenny Kelly

THE  cattle  market  benefited from widespread rain that reduced numbers at saleyards while causing another spike in restocker activity at the same time.

Earlier this week, price trends for slaughter cattle to domestic and export processors were firm to dearer, while young cattle were again the highlight as rates pushed higher.

Saleyards in both Victoria and NSW reported solid demand for well-finished trade cattle, which were limited in number against the bulk of plainer conditioned and lightweight animals being sold.

At Pakenham the best vealer steers sold from 360c/kg to a top of 422c/kg liveweight to be quoted as up to 10c/kg dearer.

In the export market, the trend for cows and grown steers was dearer as numbers tightened.

There was a much smaller yarding of cows at Wagga Wagga after widespread rain caused prices to rebound up to 12c/kg, the best heavy beef females pushing back up to 307c/kg.

Good beef cows were quoted at 270c/kg to 300c/kg amid “spirited bidding” at Wagga Wagga, agents reported, while restockers paid to 350c/kg for light cows going back to the paddock.

Heavy steers have also been dearer in the past five days of selling.

The latest result was at Pakenham on Monday where steers weighing above 500kg were quoted as 8-12c/kg dearer, some big bullocks lifting 20c/kg on the dull results of recent weeks.

Price results for 500-600kg steers was 312c/kg to 344c/kg to average 336c/kg, while heavier types sold to 340c/kg and averaged 334c/kg. That pushed most sales above $1800.

However it was young and lightweight cattle that again stole the limelight as this latest burst of rain cemented the very good autumn break.

Lightweight calves under 200kg sold from 480c/kg to a top of 600c/kg at Wagga Wagga, while the next category up comprising 200-280kg made from 400c/kg to 535c/kg.

The results mirror the dearer trends that were evident for young cattle on AuctionsPlus late last week.

AuctionsPlus reported the following results:

STEERS under 200kg made from 463c/kg to 662c/kg, averaging 550c/kg; and heifers made 379c/kg to 610c/kg to average 509c/kg;

STEERS 200-280kg to 551c/kg average 470c/kg; heifers to 496c/kg, average 424c/kg;

STEERS 280-330kg, sold at 320c/kg to 471c/kg to average 410c/kg; heifers made 291c/kg to 456c/kg to average 383c/kg;

STEERS 330-400kg sold to 438c/kg, average 400c/kg; and heifers to 408c/kg to average 348c/kg.

AuctionsPlus also reported dearer price outcomes for breeding females, with cows and calves selling to $3080 and averaging $2425.

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