A record breaking July selling season had beef producers and livestock agents thinking all their Christmases had come at once and with prices holding well into August the celebrations are rolling on.
Rowan Davidson, Hillandale, Wandoan, sold 251 mixed sex weaners at today’s Roma store sale to contribute to a number of strong lines among the 7200 head yarding.
Mr Davidson said the Santa Gertrudis and Santa Murray Grey cross cattle were the result of a breed trial to improve temperament.
“We’ve been experimenting with the Murray Grey cross for three years now. I’ve always liked Murray Greys for their docile temperament and we’re seeing great results in our progeny,” he said.
Mr Davidson said the weaners’ weight for age was also pleasing considering an “up and down” season on his property 30km south west of Wandoan.
“The summer was very hard where we are but the last couple of months have been much better,” he said.
“We’ve had good soaking winter rain and the clover and other herbage is starting to come along, but nonetheless we still followed through on our decision to turn off our weaners.”
Mr Davidson said in the two years prior he had started to grow weaners out on property and sell them at feeder weight.
“This is our first year back selling them as weaners- a general shortage of grass more or less forced us into it,” he said.
Despite having to step away from the heavier feeder market this year, Mr Davidson said current market prices made selling weaners an equally positive move.
Mr Davidson’s 154 steers averaged 414c/kg for 271kg to return $1125/hd. The 97 head heifer portion sold for $922/hd averaging 386c/kg and weighing 238kg.
Landmark Roma’s Rod Turner said the unusually long running stream of weaners through the weekly store sale was due to improvements in seasonal conditions during the cooler months.
“Its been surprising to receive such good rainfall in what is traditionally the dry season in the south west so people have taken advantage of that and kept their cattle on grass that little bit longer,” he said.
“I would expect the weaner portion would start to finish up by the end of the month but you never know what the weather will do.”
Mr Turner said today’s prices remained very strong with most young cattle making above 400c/kg.
“There were cattle from local areas and into western Queensland and there was also plenty of local buyer support again due to the soft season,” he said.
“Plenty of people planted oats and now need cattle to eat it. Feedlot buyers also operated strongly on both light and heavy feeder cattle.
“The best thing out of it all is that producers are finally making some money and putting it back into developing their country and infrastructure. I can see it continuing for a while yet.”
MLA manager of market information Ben Thomas echoed Mr Turner’s comments and said widespread rain across the eastern states combined with the national cattle herd sitting at a 20 year low had pushed the EYCI into “previously unchartered territory.”
"Restockers have been the driving force behind the EYCI bolting through the 600s during June and July and accounted for 41 per cent of EYCI eligible purchases in July, up from 34 per cent in the same month last year,” he said.
“At the same time lot feeders have held their own, consistently accounting for 44 per cent of EYCI cattle bought for the past four months.
"The biggest factor influencing where the EYCI will eventually peak is the depth of restocker pockets. Typically, three things happen to the EYCI from August to November- prices ease, restockers take a step back and processors purchase fewer EYCI cattle at the end of spring compared to the end of winter.
“Whether or not these trends occur in 2016 remains to be seen but if the average price decline were to be repeated the EYCI would remain in the mid 600c/kg cwt territory."
