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.
Australia’s live cattle export numbers lifted significantly in July but remain subdued for the year-to-date compared to the five-year-average. More competition for lower supply and
The cattle market felt the chill of mid-winter this week as prices fell across the board despite slightly lower throughput. Support remains seemingly strong in
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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.
Have any questions or comments?
Click on graph to expand
Data sources: MLA, Mecardo
Categories
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Australia’s live cattle export numbers lifted significantly in July but remain subdued for the year-to-date compared to the five-year-average. More competition for lower supply and
The north-south divide is opening up again for young cattle
The cattle market felt the chill of mid-winter this week as prices fell across the board despite slightly lower throughput. Support remains seemingly strong in
A bit of applied futures theory
The latest Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) three months outlook points towards a weaker chance of a wet spring. This doesn’t mean that we’ll be in
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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.
MEET THE TEAM
Our team of market analysts are recognised as leaders in Australian Ag market analysis, providing invaluable insights to help you navigate the ever-changing commodity landscape.
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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.