Southern Qld works are now quoting up to 400c/kg dressed over-the-hook for suitable EU two and four-tooth steers.

While the best grassfed steers are 335c, this 65c bonus must make this market attractive, even though there are the well-known restraints associated with this program.

There is a high demand for live export cattle from northern Australia, particularly from Indonesia.

An industry source said the Australian dollar coming off the boil had been a big help, but the shortage of cattle has driven the price for cattle.

Over the next few months, cattle from the north will be in short supply.

Until now, the shipping sector has been flat out keeping up with demand.

However, the rewards are good, with feeder steers selling from 170-175c at the wharf in Darwin.

Heifers sold for 155c.

Wellards will be shipping out of Townsville and topping up at the Port of Darwin during September and October.

The giant ships will be taking between 15,000 and 18,000 head at a time.

It takes some effort to put these shipments together.

Also there is plenty of action at the Port of Karumba.

SEALS will be loading four boatloads from Karumba, during August, September and October.

They have already loaded three boatloads in the past few months.

As a matter of interest, the ships SEALS operates for live export are owned by the Sid Faithful Group, and this group also owns the Karumba shipping port and facility.