02 October 2015

Drenching strategies can save time, money and increase productivity. Strategic drenching during an MLA-sponsored Mackinnon project in south-east Victoria measured weight gains of 14-26kg in weaner cattle (depending on season and pasture availability).

Producers can tap into this knowledge via a BetterBeef phone seminar/webinar - in collaboration with the MLA-funded More Beef from Pastures program - on Thursday 8 October.

Most Australian cattle markets were again dearer this week, despite very little rain across much of the country and offerings increasing at many centres. The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) gained 3.5¢ week-on-week, to close Thursday’s markets at 594.75¢/kg cwt.

The largest yarding at Dalby in over 12 months (7,500 head) did little to limit price gains, with EYCI eligible cattle at that market lifting 13¢/kg cwt, averaging 580¢/kg cwt. Similarly, the Roma store market gained a further 9¢ this week for EYCI cattle (592¢/kg cwt) with reports of some restockers displaying keen interest in calves and light steers.

Slightly further south, similar categories of cattle at Casino averaged 568¢/kg cwt, while at CTLX Carcoar (618¢/kg cwt), Gunnedah (605¢/kg cwt), and NVLX Wodonga (603¢/kg cwt), the market remained strong, assisted by feedlots and some restocking interest.

The total volume of Australian beef imports into South East Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) this year has seen a decline in comparison with the same period in 2014. While the decline in Indonesia was largely due to its revised import protocols, trade to other countries has been influenced by increased competition from other beef exporting nations.

Philippines

Throughput lifts

Throughput in Victorian MLA reported saleyards lifted 16% week-on-week, reaching 11,785 head.

Young cattle prices slip

Medium weight C2 vealer steers to restockers were 7¢ cheaper on 325.3¢ and slightly heavier types to the trade also eased 7¢, averaging 308.7¢/kg. C3 medium weight vealer heifers sold to slaughter for a top of 348.6¢ and averaged 323.7¢, up 5¢/kg.

Heavy weight C2 yearling steers bought by feeder buyers sold between 275¢ and 347.2¢ and averaged 322.4¢, back 2¢/kg.C3 heavy weights to slaughter were also 2¢ easier, averaging 327.7¢/kg. Similar C3 heavy weight yearling heifers also to the trade lifted 2¢, selling between 272¢ and 339.2¢ and averaging 313.5¢/kg.

Numbers increase

Cattle consignments in NSW lifted by 16%, week-on-week, for a total of 27,834 head.

Price remain firm

The medium weight vealer steers returning to the paddock maintained firm prices, making from 298c to 365c/kg. The vealer heifers sold 4c to 6c dearer to sell from 305c to 339c/kg.

The medium weight yearling steers to the lot feeder orders sold close to firm to range from 290c to 357c/kg. The bulk of the unfinished yearling heifers also trended close to firm, making from 260c to 337c/kg. The prime conditioned younger cattle to the butchers maintained solid prices, as the bulk sold around the 311c to 336c/kg range.

Supply gains momentum

The overall supply of stock across Queensland, at MLA reported saleyards, increased by 8% week on week. However consignments at Dalby lifted by 38% to the highest level for 12 months, and numbers at the Roma store and Warwick sale increased by 12% and 18%, respectively.

The overall quality of the young cattle continues to be mixed with large numbers of calves from drought affected areas included in the line-up at Roma and Dalby. Export buyer attendance was generally good however some were not operating at markets early in the week. A large panel of feeder and restocker buyers was present at most markets, and at Dalby some volume buyers were in attendance.

Demand remains strong

Young cattle generally received strong demand from all sections of the market and, at Warwick, some well-bred lightweight calves and vealer steers sold to a new high. However, in places, plain poor quality lines were harder to sell with restockers being more selective.

Lamb

Lamb consignments throughout NSW increased by 15% week-on-week, for a total of 107,839 head.

New season trade weight lambs trended $4 cheaper, making from $90 to $140/head, or from 530¢ to 533¢/kg cwt.

Trade weight older lambs sold close to firm, ranging from $76 to $132/head and from 482¢ to 523¢/kg cwt.

This week’s rainfall was mainly along the eastern coastlines, with falls of 1-15mm recorded in Victoria’s Gippsland region and Tasmania, and up the NSW coast. The NSW central coast and south east Queensland received heavier falls of 10-25mm, while light showers were measured in isolated pockets across central Queensland and into the gulf region. The Top End received concentrated falls of up to 50mm.

New Zealand (NZ) lamb exports for the season-to-date (October 2014-July 2015) have reached 264,998 tonnes swt – slightly lower (3%) than the corresponding period the previous year (Statistics New Zealand).

The decline was largely attributed to easing demand in China and the UK during the 2014-15 season so far, while the growth registered in markets such as the US, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands was not large enough to offset the overall fall.

For the 2014-15 season-to-date, NZ lamb shipments to: