Cattle in demand at sales

NORTH Queensland producers are continuing to take advantage of higher than anticipated prices for store cattle with five weeks remaining until the summer closure of the Dalrymple Saleyards.

Meat and Livestock Australia reports that light steer calves sold at auction in Charters Towers this week attracted strong restockers’ demand, reaching a top price of 504.2c/ kg, while vealer steers sold to a high of 500.2c/kg.

Vealer heifers reached a top of 396.2c/kg and heifer calves 378/2c/kg.

“Cattle continue to flow south as northern sellers take advantage of strong prices and southern buyers look to rebuild ahead of an anticipated supply shortage,” an MLA report said.

“July’s projection forecast for a 17 per cent decline in cattle slaughter from 2019 levels remains unchanged, with 2020 slaughter estimated at seven million head.

“Live cattle export shipments remain reasonably stable and are expected to return close to 2018 levels, though down 16 per cent on 2019.”

Prices for heavy steers and bullocks for meat processors reached 340.2c/kg, while heavyweight cows topped at 328.2c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors topped at 376c/kg.

“Australia’s cattle industry continues to face a series of unique and unprecedented market conditions across both supply and demand,” the MLA report said.

“While global markets continue to face uncertainty from COVID-19’S economic impacts, international demand for Australian red meat remains buoyant.”

The saleyards close for maintenance on December 14.