THERE’S been a pointy rise in direct consignment cattle gives from export beef processors because the 2025 slaughter season will get underway.
Many over-the hooks grid gives have lifted 20-40c/kg for the reason that final transactions have been made in December – though to be truthful, some grids have been ‘put to sleep’ by the center of final month as necessities for the rest of the 2024 12 months have been met.
Some processors again then have been taking house bookings just for the opening weeks of 2025, with costs to be negotiated nearer to manufacturing date.
January is notoriously tough to make use of as a gauge for broader slaughter cattle priced developments, nevertheless, because of the staggered seasonal begin for a lot of processors and prospects of rain disruptions making true provide and demand patterns tough to outline this early within the 12 months.
Nonetheless, opening gambit gives seen this week are sharply greater, partly reflecting the increase in lean trimmings costs into the US (see separate story tomorrow).
In Queensland, aggressive processors within the state’s southern area have gives of 650/kg on four-tooth heavy grass ox with tablet (660c obtainable on some grids for no HGP), and heavy cows 580c/kg. These figures are up at the least 20c and as a lot as 30c/kg on gives made through the closing phases of 2024. On a typical 300kg heavy cow, that’s value an extra $90 a head.
Export beef costs for trimmings into the US have continued to push into document territory over the previous fortnight, aided by beneficial foreign money (see at the moment’s separate story). That has strongly supported slaughter cow costs through the opening phases of 2025.
Some Queensland crops are on a tender begin this week, working at partial capability solely, whereas others are but to return to work for the 2025 season.
One contact prompt it received’t be till week commencing 3 February, after the Australia Day long-weekend, that an actual image emerges about 2025 slaughter cattle value developments, demand and provide.
If earlier years the place climate patterns have been comparable are any indication, many Queensland producers will maintain out so long as attainable earlier than offloading inventory within the early a part of the 12 months to optimise weight, solely to run into congestion issues round April/Might.
The final feeling is that nationwide weekly processing capability this 12 months might faucet out at round 150,000-155,000 head, a small enhance on final 12 months, however nonetheless restricted by labour challenges, regardless of the robust beef gross sales alternative that lays forward.
Additional south, direct consignment grids have additionally lifted this week in contrast with the ultimate phases of 2024, typically by 20c/kg or extra.
Grids for kills in southern areas of NSW have gives this week of 670c/kg on four-tooth ox and 610c/kg on cows, whereas japanese areas of South Australia have gives of 670c on grass ox and 620c/kg on good heavy cows. – each up 20-40c on December charges.
Feeders have additionally adopted the market greater this week, with direct consignment gives on heavy flatbacks delivered Downs this morning at 390c/kg and 400c/kg for Angus. Some remoted gives (unconfirmed) have crossbred steers at 400-410c.
Saleyards alerts
Saleyards have produced unstable outcomes for the primary few gross sales of 2025, with skyrocketing cow costs in some centres final week (as much as 330c/kg liveweight in locations) falling again to earth somewhat in some gross sales earlier this week. Different gross sales yesterday and at the moment have remained very robust.
Gunnedah sale this morning noticed a pointy enhance in numbers to 3650 head. Export processor demand was robust for heavy grown steers and effectively completed heavy grown heifers with developments dearer all through. Elevated provide minimised enchancment within the cow market with market developments usually agency. Heavy cows +520kg averaged 300-308c.
Wodonga yarded 2600 this morning for the primary sale of 2025. The export market was effectively supported, with a number of consumers vying for the youthful, well-finished steers. Costs improved 20c-23c on final 12 months’s December market. Heavy steers and bullocks bought from 336-384c/kg. Cows bought to spirited bidding, with heavy lineskeenly sought. Heavy cows bought from 296-321c, with leaner grades lower than 520kg at 255-295c/kg.
Naracoorte sale this morning yarded 2100, with a marked decline in worth on slaughter cows in contrast with final week, with loads of gross sales round 260-280c/kg.
The primary Roma sale for the 12 months this morning yarded virtually 5000 head. A preliminary report (full report printed tomorrow) prompt the market was dearer for many descriptions bought by the point the report was printed. Light-weight yearling steers below 200kg produced from 402-514c/kg. Yearling steers 200-280kg bought from 368-518c/kg. Yearling steers 280-330kg again to the paddock additionally topping 518c/kg. Yearling steers 330-400kg made to 450c to feed and 486c/kg to restockers.Yearling steers 400-480kg to feed topped 422c/kg. Light-weight yearling heifers below 200kg topped 350c/kg. Yearling heifers 200-280kg bought from 270c for the plainer varieties and as much as 368c/kg for the higher traces. Yearling heifers 280-330kg made to 378c and averaged 358c/kg. Yearling heifers 330-400kg additionally topped 378c/kg to restockers. Grown steers 400-500kg bought to 370c/kg. Grown steers 500-600kg bought from 288-370c/kg for the higher varieties. A small variety of bullocks over 600kg made 340c/kg. One other giant yarding of prime cows penned and bought to dearer pattern. The two rating cows 400-520kg bought from 206-278c/kg. The three rating cows topping 321c and bought from 280c to common 302c.
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