Sunshine State shines the brightest

On the export front, the buyers were back and competing for the top-quality pens across the nation, Shepparton topped the Heavy Steer Indicator with the largest contribution for volume like it did for the week prior. Both weeks averaged a 2% premium on the national indicator. The premium according to the saleyard report was thanks to the quality which had “improved significantly” as well as “returning export operators” to the rail.

At the other end of the scale, the restocker heifers had the largest gain of all the indicators rising 4% to close the week at 275¢/kg. Mid-week, the young females peaked at 284 ¢/kg supported by a strong result from Roma. The lift in prices comes despite a 57% increase in volume for the indicator, which traditionally would apply downward pressure on prices. Blackall, the leading saleyard on the volume contribution for both steers and heifers, reported “better quality lines”.

Initial yardings data for the week show a fall of 8% (4.8k head) to 55.5k head total. When looking at the breakdown of states it’s a very different story. QLD had a 20% lift in yardings week on week, buffered by Vic which saw a 37% decrease and SA with 26%. Roma’s saleyard report mentions it captured cattle from both SA and NSW, which points to some growers happy to send their stock further afield to find more competition.

Slaughter levels for the week prior were relatively flat with a 1% gain on the week. There were slight low-digit movements between states, but not like what was seen with yardings. Looking at the trend of Eastern state’s slaughter levels on the run into Christmas, traditionally there is a slight rise, however last year from next week levels didn’t go higher.