With the nation stopping yesterday to commemorate ANZAC Day, Thursday livestock sales did not take place. As a result, this week saw a decrease in activity with yardings down and many saleyard reports talking about a lack of participation and presence from buyers, particularly export buyers.
Prices for the indicators were down slightly across the
board despite significant drops in yardings for the week. Major saleyard
reports mention export buyers present and not active, or not present at all.
The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) was down 2% on the
week prior and it finished the week at 584 c/kg. Yardings for the indicator
were down 40% on the week prior, due to some sales not occurring yesterday and showers
in Northern NSW and Southern Queensland caused some producers to hold onto
cattle. Roma was the largest contributor
to the indicator with just under 40% of the total headcount moving through its
sale yards. It averaged 4% above the indicator at 605 c/kg.
Both restocker heifers and steers indicators fell by 2%,
heifers closed the week at 243 c/kg and the steers at 331c/kg. The discount for
the females is 27% the same as it was the week prior. Roma was the biggest
contributor to both of the indicators and averaged 6% above the indicator for both.
The Western Young Cattle Indicator had only one of the two
saleyards that make up the indicator operating this week. Muchea averaged 415
c/kg for the 370 head that were sold there. Young cattle in WA are selling at a
discount of 29% compared to eastern state equivalent cattle. Unfortunately for
cattle farmers in the West, the prices haven’t seen a recovery like that of the
East in recent months.
The total number of cattle to move through saleyards around
the nation was 39k head, back 60% on last week, which saw a surge as people
knew this week would be a less active market. For 2024, the average increase in
yardings on the 5-year average for each sale week is 47%. A huge increase in
the supply coming from paddocks that hasn’t been seen since 2015.
Slaughter volume for the week prior on the East Coast were up
2% on the week before. 2024 slaughter levels also remain elevated on the medium-term
average, but not to the same levels as yardings. Slaughter volumes week on week
are 8% above that of the 5-year average.
Next week
The resumption of a full selling week should see the supply increase, this will put downward pressure on prices as buyers will have more options. Hopefully, for producers this is countered by buyers returning to full participation in the market.
The cattle market gained momentum this week, as plenty of active buyers drove prices upward and allowed the market to recover some recently lost ground.
Most recent industry outlooks point to a steady-as-she-goes cattle market for the medium term, with strong ongoing export demand and high slaughter levels counteracting the
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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.
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Export buyers out of office
Prices for the indicators were down slightly across the board despite significant drops in yardings for the week. Major saleyard reports mention export buyers present and not active, or not present at all.
The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) was down 2% on the week prior and it finished the week at 584 c/kg. Yardings for the indicator were down 40% on the week prior, due to some sales not occurring yesterday and showers in Northern NSW and Southern Queensland caused some producers to hold onto cattle. Roma was the largest contributor to the indicator with just under 40% of the total headcount moving through its sale yards. It averaged 4% above the indicator at 605 c/kg.
Both restocker heifers and steers indicators fell by 2%, heifers closed the week at 243 c/kg and the steers at 331c/kg. The discount for the females is 27% the same as it was the week prior. Roma was the biggest contributor to both of the indicators and averaged 6% above the indicator for both.
The Western Young Cattle Indicator had only one of the two saleyards that make up the indicator operating this week. Muchea averaged 415 c/kg for the 370 head that were sold there. Young cattle in WA are selling at a discount of 29% compared to eastern state equivalent cattle. Unfortunately for cattle farmers in the West, the prices haven’t seen a recovery like that of the East in recent months.
The total number of cattle to move through saleyards around the nation was 39k head, back 60% on last week, which saw a surge as people knew this week would be a less active market. For 2024, the average increase in yardings on the 5-year average for each sale week is 47%. A huge increase in the supply coming from paddocks that hasn’t been seen since 2015.
Slaughter volume for the week prior on the East Coast were up 2% on the week before. 2024 slaughter levels also remain elevated on the medium-term average, but not to the same levels as yardings. Slaughter volumes week on week are 8% above that of the 5-year average.
Next week
The resumption of a full selling week should see the supply increase, this will put downward pressure on prices as buyers will have more options. Hopefully, for producers this is countered by buyers returning to full participation in the market.
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Click on graph to expand
Data sources: MLA, Mecardo
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Cattle market pitches up
The cattle market gained momentum this week, as plenty of active buyers drove prices upward and allowed the market to recover some recently lost ground.
Restockers to set pace after Autumn break
Most recent industry outlooks point to a steady-as-she-goes cattle market for the medium term, with strong ongoing export demand and high slaughter levels counteracting the
Export buyers out of office
With the nation stopping yesterday to commemorate ANZAC Day, Thursday livestock sales did not take place. As a result, this week saw a decrease in
Cattle price volatility lower as supply and demand find balance
Cattle market volatility has waned recently. The wild swings of 2023 saw prices move up to 70% across the course of two months. Thus far
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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.
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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.