INDICATORS: Cattle prices drift downwards

It’s that time of the week when we check in on some key indicators of performance in the livestock markets.

The Eastern States Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) fell to 1,003.64c/kg cwt by Friday morning, an decrease of 17.08c for the week and and increase of 7.59c for the month. It’s 255.99c higher than the same time last year.

The National Young Cattle Indicator (NYCI), which reflects national markets and online transactions, also fell this week, by 5.76c/kg to 527.74c/kg on Friday morning. It is down 4.65c on last month and up 137.34c on the same time last year.

The National Feeder Heifer Indicator (NFHI), which offers a dedicated lens into the feeder heifer market, fell and was sitting at 494.76c/kg on Friday morning. It’s down 4.48c on last week.

The Processor Cow Indicator was 375.25c/kg on Friday morning, down 1.56c on last week and down 0.04c for the month. The top three contributors to this indicator were Roma, Dalby and Wagga. 

Let’s turn to the sheep and lamb markets.

In the past week the AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) continued its upward trajectory, adding 55c to close at 1591c/kg dressed weight. 

The Light Lamb Indicator fell 13.09c this week to be 1,161.61c on Friday morning, which was 39.07c up on last month and 188.27 up on last year.

The Heavy Lamb Indicator fell by 3.91c over the past week to be sitting at 1,156.67c/kg cwt. That represents an increase of 51.45c over the past month and it's 3.18c lower than the same time last year.