The national young cattle market lost a little bit of its edge this week, with online prices across most steer categories falling, whilst the EYCI slipped back to under 880c/kg cwt. The 13% decline in overall online offerings, to 17,946 head, failed to halt the price declines this week, with the recent run of drier weeks reportedly starting to be reflect in buyer confidence and vendors reserve levels.
The latest three-month rainfall outlook from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology highlights the prospect of continued wetter than average conditions through to July. Given the momentum currently behind the herd rebuild, this outlook will come as some relief to producers, given the very dry April and mild temperatures for many regions.
For the young steers, the largest category 280-330kg steers declined $22 on last week, averaging $1,625/head – with a 75% clearance rate. Average prices for the two lighter categories also declined on last week, back $117 for steers less than 200kg, to $1,137/head, while 200-280kg steers averaged $46 lower, at $1,433 head.
The sweet spot for many sellers this week was in the 330-400kg steer category, which went against the trend and jumped $108 higher, to average $1,783/head – with a 79% clearance rate for the 1,615 head offered. In contrast, the 526 steers over 400kg, averaged $198 cheaper from the previous week, almost erasing all last week’s 12% price jump.
The cow and PTIC heifer offerings fluctuated again this week, with PTIC numbers back 22% on last week, at 2,380 head. Despite the lower supply, PTIC heifers retreated $123, to average $2,232/head.
In the north, an indicative line of 82 Droughtmaster cross SM cows, with 70 CAF, sold to $2,325/head. The line out of Richmond, Queensland, averaged 411.2kg liveweight and ranged from 2 to 12 years of age. Out of Bollon, Queensland, 54 SM Charolais/Composite cows, with 54 CAF sold to $2,810/head – weighing in at an average 508.4kg liveweight, aged 10-12 years.
In the south, 15 Angus cows with 15 CAF, out of Rylstone, NSW, averaging 388.9kg liveweight, sold to $2,880/head. In Victoria, 29 Angus/Hereford cross NSM cows, with 29 CAF sold to $2,960/head – with the 5-6-years old cows averaging 529.8kg head liveweight. From Oakbank, SA, 10 Angus PTIC cows, averaging 567.3kg/head liveweight and 6-7-years of age, sold to $2,550/head – equating to 949c/kg dressed.
NOTE: Prices as at 2pm, Friday 30th April, 2021
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