By Simon McKittrick, Logical Livestock Solutions.
What a difference a couple inches and a couple of weeks can make. Parts of the New England, Central West & Central Tablelands including, Uralla, Trundle, Parkes, Forbes, Mudgee and Merriwa have all received 50 to 100mm in the last 48 hours. These districts fortunate enough to receive follow up falls from initial storm activity a week or so ago have now had their seasons turnaround.
However, some areas have missed out and are looking for the magical 25mm or more to stimulate some feed growth while the ground is still warm. We did hear today that some areas of the far west will again be up over 40 degrees early next week.
Any clients who have already got winter forage crops in should be very happy with this rain, even though it did fall pretty heavily. This will now put a solid floor back into all markets which had softened somewhat over the last couple of weeks, mainly due to the forward booking of some feedlot & processor operators for cattle which had been sold due to the spate of recent hot weather.
Numbers for last week’s AuctionPlus sale were just over 7,000hd listed and prices firm, with PTIC females and cows & calves achieving very strong results.
Cows & calves topped at $2,300, while top PTIC females were not far behind. This week’s sale results will paint a picture moving ahead with nearly 8,500 listed.
Steers:
Under 250kg sold from 335c/kg to 485c/kg, av 419c/kg
250kg to 300kg sold from 375c/kg to 415c/kg, av 395c/kg
300kg to 350kg sold from 337c/kg to 396c/kg, av 375c/kg
350kg + sold from 344c/kg to 380c/kg, av 363c/kg
Heifers:
Under 250kg sold from 300c/kg to 383c/kg, av 360c/kg
250kg to 300kg sold from 291c/kg to 392c/kg, av 339c/kg
300kg to 350kg sold from 303c/kg to 326c/kg, av 318c/kg
350kg + sold from 284c/kg to 326c/kg, av 317c/kg