CATTLE SHOWING EFFECTS OF DRY CONDITIONS

PHOTO: LG & MJ McDowell presented this pen of Angus bullocks at the WVLX Prime Market that made a top of 326c/kg under the Elders Kerr & Co hammer, returning $2059ph. 

Numbers reduced considerably at this week’s WVLX Prime Market at Mortlake to 1,000 head in comparison to the previous week being 1,761 fewer on offer. The quality was very plain compared to last week with cattle showing seasonal effects of the dry conditions with trade cattle appearing the most effected. Less weight was on offer with the bullocks and grown cattle. The mixture of beef and dairy cows was mostly good to fair quality with more lightweight cows on offer. Not all the regular buyers were present or fully active on a yarding consisting of 149 grown cattle, 387 trade weights along with 446 cows and 18 grown bulls and as a consequence the market was very soft over most categories and lacked motivation to be 20c to 30c/kg cheaper and more in places.

Some categories, like grown heifers and steers remained firm to slightly softer with all feeder weights 20 to 30c/kg dearer with local interest the driver.

Vealers sold between 280c and 355c/kg. Trade steers and heifers were selling from 250c to 318c/kg. Grown cattle topped at 326c with manufacturing steers selling up to 245c/kg. Heavy beef cows sold from 200c to 262c/kg for one pen with the medium weights selling between 130c and 185c/kg. Covered dairy cows were generally between 160c/kg and 190c/kg. Grown beef bulls to 210c/kg.

Market Report: Reproduced courtesy of Meat & Livestock Australia Limited. Click HERE for full WVLX market report.