All indications point to a prime cattle market opening up next year at about the same price levels as closing meatworks' grid prices for the end of 2008.
The 2008 closing grid prices for southern Queensland meatworks, for instance, stood around 300c/kg for best grass bullocks and 300c/kg for heavy cows and 350c/kg for 100-day grain bullocks.
The only rates I have heard for opening kills in 2009 are 300c/kg for bullocks, with cows back 10c, to 290c/kg dressed.
Our best chance for holding prices steady could be good rains over the Christmas period.
That would lead to producers holding back cattle from market, to put on extra weight, taking advantage of the good pastures.
I caught up with saleyard reporter, Martin Bunyard, during the Roma, Qld, store sale on Tuesday morning and he reported a yarding of 6200 head of cattle this week.
Martin said prices held mainly firm on last week’s.
In one of the early sales of the day, Consolidated Pastoral Company, Isis Downs, Isisford, sold 461kg Brahman-cross steers to $190ckg, to average 187c/kg or $859/head.
Email a friend