Industry News

On the 8th of August at the SOA AGM and conference saleyards across the country united to form the Australian Livestock Markets Association.

See the attatched press release.

Source: ALMA

MEMBERS TIME TO GET ON LINE AND REGISTER.

This will be an important meeting to facilitate the inclusion of other state bodies with SOA to form a new association.

AUSTRALIAN LIVESTOCK MARKETS ASSN

Your input is needed please register to attend today.

To register link is here;

http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/www/html/4285-2010-saleyard-operators-conference-.asp

Report attatched.

Source: MLA NLRS

Cattle prices have ignored the A$ move above 93US¢, to remain firm to dearer after the first full trading week this month. Export prices are being buoyed by the coincidence of a lift in US and Russian demand for trimmings. The subsequent rise in prices has forced Japanese buyers to follow suit. Korean prices were also reportedly firm to dearer. Numbers and stock condition post-Easter will be a major determinant of cattle price trends in the near term. A solid seasonal surge in finished cattle supplies and cull cows through late April/May would likely see price falls, before the normal winter rise commences. While there was little change in young cattle saleyard prices this week, the national Japan ox indicator lifted a further 6¢/kg cwt, to be 10% higher than the same time last year, and US cows lifted in Queensland, NSW and WA. In a clear indication of flock rebuilding activity, and strong Middle East demand for live sheep and mutton, the national average mutton sheep price continues to post a record on a weekly basis. This week, the indicator hit 374¢/kg cwt, up a further 11¢ on last week’s record and 64% higher than last year. Lamb prices were largely unchanged this week, though the Merino lamb indicator suffered a correction.

Source: MLA NLRS

Lamb supply across the eastern states at MLA’s NLRS reported markets for the March quarter 2010 finished 1% above the five year quarterly average. Lamb numbers fluctuated during the first three months, mainly due to the widespread rainfall, subsequent flooding and public holidays disrupting some trading. Lambs were scarce throughout January and February, but a late flush of well finished trade and heavy lambs during March boosted total yardings, as around 840,000 head of lambs were penned in March. The even level of supply can also be attributed to a reported increase of producers choosing to market their lambs via the physical markets, where prices have often exceeded the direct rates offered by processors. Despite lamb yardings lifting on the five year average yardings, supply actually fell 7% year- on-year. Lamb have dipped partially as producers look to finish store grade lambs themselves, which can be attributed to the good seasonal conditions between late 2009 and early 2010. Additionally, the current strength of the restocking sheep market has led to producers retaining first cross ewe lambs for future prime lamb production.

Source: MLA NLRS

Glen Innes, NSW The first of three major weaner sales held last Friday was a success, bringing 2,700 head of cattle forward. The very good quality offering of weaner steers and heifers had a higher average weight this year, reflecting the good season experienced on the Northern Tablelands. Angus steers and heifers made up a large percentage of the yarding, along with a good penning of Herford cattle and several pens of Black Baldy, Charolais, British bred and crossbred cattle. A large percentage of the heavier end of the steers and heifers were acquired by feedlots and backgrounders. Cattle were drawn mainly from the Northern Tablelands, with buyers attending from southern Queensland, including Warwick and Dalby, and northern NSW – from Gunnedah, Coonamble, Casino, Grafton, Tenterfield, Walcha as well as local areas. Most of the light weaner steers ranged from 217¢ up to 250¢/kg lwt. Medium weights averaged between 205¢ and 218¢ for all breeds and heavy Angus weaner steers averaged 191¢/kg. Weaner heifers made between 187¢ and 194¢/kg lwt.

Source: MLA NLRS