Naracoorte Cattle Report

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Report Date: 29th October 2024

Total Yarding: 550

Commentary

Numbers halved on a week ago down to 550 head, influenced by the weaker market and agents also advising there is less prime cattle in the area after the late and dry season. Quality was very mixed with very few good lines of cattle available, most pens being mixed types of various breeding and shape. About half the yarding was cows. The cow market did show a cheaper trend over the heaviest beef pens, while the second draft held up reasonably well before bidding tailed off on any very plain conditioned types which sold under the 200c/kg mark. Some of the grown heifers were also cheaper. But noting the market was limited by quality and numbers.

The highest price points today were 354c/kg for some heavy grown black steers; and 350c and 343c/kg for the pick of the few vealer and yearling types to the trade. After this the bulk of the young cattle varied from 270c to 320c/kg if they showed reasonable shape and breeding, restocking and feeder orders securing a fair percentage which highlights the lack of genuine prime animals in the yarding. Heavy grown heifers 270c to 312c/kg, drifting down to 240c to 260c/kg for the plainer shaped grassy types. Crossbred steers were also in the 240c to 260c/kg range.

In the cow market auctioneers tried to entice 300c/kg for the lead pens of heavy beef females but exporters would only go up to 290c/kg in a softer result. The middle draft of cows were around firm at 270c to 290c/kg. Some very light conditioned cows sold at 170c to 192c/kg in a weaker result. There was a reasonable number of bulls for the yarding size, prices concentrated between 240c to 280c/kg for most.

Market reporter: Jenny Kelly