January 22, 2013

Western Australia cattle market shows favourable start for 2013

Western Australia's cattle market has started 2013 at a steady rate, according to market experts.

Westcoast Livestock auctioneer, Neil Foale, said farmers were "starting to smile again."

"The supply is not as strong as it was so the demand will go up again right across the State," he said.

"Prices have been going up and we're seeing it all over the place."

He said demand would get higher through autumn and winter.

However, WA cattle consultant Greg Jones said considering factors such as a lack of live export, an oversupply of beef across the country and the high Australian dollar, the WA market would not pick up until March-April.

Mr Jones also added that the amount of animals in Australia had increased by 10% in the past five years to about 30 million.

Meat and Livestock Australia market information and analysis manager, Tim McRae, said MLA's National Livestock Reporting Service had noted a small improvement in the markets this year.