July 22, 2011

Australia cattle market thoroughput higher despite weather

National cattle throughput in Australia at physical markets increased 4% compared with last week, but remained 19% lower on-year.

Meat and Livestock Australia's (MLA) National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) reported that rain in western Queensland affected offerings last week, while the return to dry weather saw the weekly Longreach sale held. This helped Queensland cattle throughput increase 6%, despite lower yardings at Roma and Dalby.

New South Wales supply was firm on last week, with yardings later in the week mainly smaller. Numbers were up at Wagga and Tamworth, while cold conditions limited turn off on the Central Tablelands.

Yardings across Victoria varied, with some selling centres still managing to supply a good amount of stock despite the cold, wet and windy conditions. South Australia numbers increased 32%, with all markets having more cattle penned. West Australia yardings almost doubled, mainly due to the inclusion of the fortnightly Great Southern market.