PROLONGED hot and dry conditions saw national cattle supply for January at markets reported by MLA’s NLRS up 15 per cent year-on-year.MLA reports almost all states recorded higher throughput as the dry across the eastern states pressured producers to offload stock.
Consignments are reported to have a larger proportion of lightweight young cattle, particularly in the vealer and yearling categories, while grown cattle numbers have increased substantially in NSW and Queensland.
With good summer rainfall in January failing to eventuate throughout much of Queensland and northern NSW, young cattle supply in NSW jumped 43pc, while grown cattle lifted by over 50pc year-on-year.
Queensland young cattle throughput increased 16pc, consisting mostly of yearling steers, while grown cattle throughput remained similar with the previous year, at approximately 10,800 head.
Young cattle numbers offered in Victoria remained firm year-on-year (14,500 head), while grown cattle supply slipped 12pc year-on-year.
SA young and grown cattle throughput declined 13pc and 17pc year-on-year, respectively, while WA penned 22pc more young cattle, and at the same time, old cattle numbers increased two-fold, despite the majority of the state recording above average January rainfall.
Source - http://www.stockandland.com.au/
