Widespread November rain brings both pain and gain

The supply of cattle scheduled for tomorrows AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales is back for the second consecutive week, as the widespread rain throughout the first two weeks of November continues to impact stock movements and logistics. The 14,400 head catalogued across the three main commercial sales is down 14% on the previous week and almost 30% from the same period last year.

With the reduced offering and rampant prices through the physical markets, with the EYCI hitting another record high this week, competition from buyers will again be red-hot. Last week’s very high clearance rates for light steers are expected to be replicated, as the “get them at any costs” market continues to be fueled by the ongoing damp conditions. Forecast for further falls in the coming days will have many regions, especially central NSW, anxiously watching flood levels, with the full impact of the recent falls on the disrupted harvest still to be determined.

In Weaner & Yearling Sale 1, commencing at 9am EDST, the 6,372 head scheduled for sale has around 2,700 head of weaners in the catalogue. The offering of good light weaners out of North Queensland should again be matched with great enthusiasm by buyers further south, with a solid supply also scheduled from central regions. Weaner & Yearling Sale 2, commencing at 10am EDST, has a smaller offering, with only 860 weaners catalogued. After a record offering only a few weeks prior, the clearance rate of 400kg+ steers and heifers will be closely watched this week – given both categories went against the overall clearance rate trend last week.

Its another week of very tight supplies through the Eastern States Cattle Sale, commencing at 11am. With just under 3,800 offered, the search for suitable breeding stock for many producers will continue to be a very competitive and expensive exercise.

Weaner & Yearling Sale 1 – commencing at 9am EDST

Lot 105 – 144 weaned Droughtmaster steers, out of Hughenden, North Queensland. Ranging between 155-288kg and averaging 209.6kg liveweight.

Lot 145 – 57 NSM Droughtmaster heifers, out of Goondiwindi, Southern Queensland. Ranging from 16-22 months of age, averaging 362.7kg liveweight.

Lot 205 – 61 Hereford feeder steers, out of Elcombe, Northern NSW. Averaging 420.4kg liveweight and ranging from 367-517kg.

Weaner & Yearling Sale 2 – commencing at 10am EDST

Lot 309 – 79 Charolais/Charbray feeder steers, from Narromine, Central West NSW. Averaging 344.9kg liveweight, ranging from 9-15 months of age.

Lot 371 – 78 Angus cross trade steers, out of Burrowye, Northeast Victoria. Ranging from 10-13 months of age, averaging 317.2kg liveweight.

Lot 443 – 80 Droughtmaster feeder steers, from Denmark, lower Great Southern, WA. Averaging 393.7kg liveweight, ranging from 20-24 months of age.

Eastern States Cattle Sale – commencing at 11am EDST

Lot 464 – 80 PTIC Angus/Angus cross cows, from St George, Southern Queensland. Ranging from 4-9 years of age, the cows average 501.5kg liveweight and are joined to Angus bulls.

Lot 548 – 21 station mated Angus cows with 21 CAF, out of Cassilis, Hunter Valley NSW. Cows averaging 576.4kg liveweight, at 36 months of age, the CAF ranged from 164-272kg and averaging 221kg.

Lot 669 – 31 station mated Angus cows, with 31 CAF, from Acheron, Central Victoria. Cows ranged between 8-9 years of age, averaging 604.8kg liveweight, with CAF averaging 163kg liveweight.