On the East Coast, yardings dropped by around 10,000 head for the week ending 5th November 2021. 42,629 head went to the saleyards last week, 18% lower than the week prior and 5% lower than this time last year. Slaughter levels remain subdued and well below recent historical averages (figure 3). 94,266 head of cattle were slaughtered last week, 3% lower than the week prior and 8% lower than this time last year.
The Eastern states Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) slipped back just 0.01% on last week, to finish this week at 1067.49¢/kg cwt. The EYCI has averaged 1067¢ for the past four weeks now, which is 30% higher than this time last year.
The top four key EYCI contributor markets all lifted on last week, except Wagga Wagga, which was the largest contributor, at 19%, to the EYCI 7-day rolling average. Dubbo, Roma Store & Dalby were all stronger, with Roma Store average prices coming in at 1137¢/kg cwt, a 6% jump up on last week. 7 day rolling averages at Dalby and Dubbo are sitting at 1078¢/kg cwt & 1112¢/kg cwt respectively.
The National Indicators were mixed this week, with the Restocker Yearling Steers leading the charge upward with a new record, up 20¢ on this time last week, at 667¢/kg lwt. The Medium Steers & Medium Cow Indicators also lifted on last week, up 12¢ & 10¢, to finish this week at 489 & 372¢/kg lwt respectively.
Vealer & Processor Yearling Steers recorded the biggest falls week on week. The Vealer Steer Indicator dropped 12.5¢ (<2%) to 648¢/kg lwt, still 183¢ stronger than the same time last year & 5% higher than this time last month. The Processor Yearling Steer Indicator dropped by about the same amount to finish this week at 540¢/kg lwt, still up 112.5¢ on this time last year.
90CL frozen cow prices are still historically very strong, up another 1¢(<1%) on last week to close at 815¢/kg swt. US Steiner reports meat inflation continues to outstrip broader food inflation in the US, with beef prices surging higher than any other proteins there. They also note the imported beef market is ‘somewhat disjointed’, amid tight supply from Australia and supply chain disruptions, making trade ‘especially difficult’.
Cattle producers, in the box-seat
On the East Coast, yardings dropped by around 10,000 head for the week ending 5th November 2021. 42,629 head went to the saleyards last week, 18% lower than the week prior and 5% lower than this time last year. Slaughter levels remain subdued and well below recent historical averages (figure 3). 94,266 head of cattle were slaughtered last week, 3% lower than the week prior and 8% lower than this time last year.
The Eastern states Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) slipped back just 0.01% on last week, to finish this week at 1067.49¢/kg cwt. The EYCI has averaged 1067¢ for the past four weeks now, which is 30% higher than this time last year.
The top four key EYCI contributor markets all lifted on last week, except Wagga Wagga, which was the largest contributor, at 19%, to the EYCI 7-day rolling average. Dubbo, Roma Store & Dalby were all stronger, with Roma Store average prices coming in at 1137¢/kg cwt, a 6% jump up on last week. 7 day rolling averages at Dalby and Dubbo are sitting at 1078¢/kg cwt & 1112¢/kg cwt respectively.
The National Indicators were mixed this week, with the Restocker Yearling Steers leading the charge upward with a new record, up 20¢ on this time last week, at 667¢/kg lwt. The Medium Steers & Medium Cow Indicators also lifted on last week, up 12¢ & 10¢, to finish this week at 489 & 372¢/kg lwt respectively.
Vealer & Processor Yearling Steers recorded the biggest falls week on week. The Vealer Steer Indicator dropped 12.5¢ (<2%) to 648¢/kg lwt, still 183¢ stronger than the same time last year & 5% higher than this time last month. The Processor Yearling Steer Indicator dropped by about the same amount to finish this week at 540¢/kg lwt, still up 112.5¢ on this time last year.
90CL frozen cow prices are still historically very strong, up another 1¢(<1%) on last week to close at 815¢/kg swt. US Steiner reports meat inflation continues to outstrip broader food inflation in the US, with beef prices surging higher than any other proteins there. They also note the imported beef market is ‘somewhat disjointed’, amid tight supply from Australia and supply chain disruptions, making trade ‘especially difficult’.
The week ahead….
The dump of rain across much of the country (despite disrupting harvests and causing flooding in some parts), will continue to fuel the restocker cattle market fire, maintaining pressure on supply and prices.
The BOM recently updated their ENSO outlook this week, predicting a 70% chance of La Niña forming in the coming months. This will no doubt give cattle producers even more confidence to purchase new stock and breed up, further consolidating the tight supply situation.
Have any questions or comments?
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Data sources: MLA, Mecardo, BOM
Categories
Have any questions or comments?
Onwards and upwards after price push?
Predicting what the cattle market has in store for 2024 is a much more positive experience than it would have been a month ago. But
Queensland buyers boost market further
While the old adage “It doesn’t rain grass” comes to mind this week, especially given we have now hit the first day of summer. However,
Herd tracking sideways despite slaughter growth
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) quarterly ‘Livestock Products’ report was released recently. The ABS numbers give the official numbers of cattle slaughtered and beef
Grass is greener?
Large amounts of rain across the East coast saw producers opting to hold onto cattle as feed concerns eased. This had a positive impact on
Want market insights delivered straight to your inbox?
Sign up to the mailing list to get regular updates to new analysis and market outlooks
Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published
Listen to the podcast
Join the Mecardo team for the Commodity Conversations podcast, where we provide short weekly market recaps and longer conversations with guests to discuss the drivers and trends in livestock, grain and fibre markets.
Research: Analysis of the Australian sheep flock
In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making.
SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES STATEMENT BROCHURE
We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.