Rain rain and more rain. Well yet another exiting month in the livestock
markets with some record prices being experienced.
The month of June has seen some more significant rises in both
sheep and cattle markets and this has all came down to the supply
and demand factor.
On the sheep and lamb front we are seeing dwindling supply and
drastic decreases in quality which, in turn, is seeing the prime condition
livestock attract premium prices.
This week we have seen the first of the new season 2nd X suckers
enter the market and attract strong competition and receiving up to
$160 or $6.50 to $6.80c/kg. We are still seeing very strong prices
and competition in the heavy domestic and export categories with
prices still in the mid to late 600c/kg mark.
We are starting to see secondary lambs get discounted and I believe
this will become more apparent over the next month. The mutton
market over the last month has firmed to sit around the 400c/kg
mark and should stay at these prices for the coming weeks.
On the cattle front we are seeing a record high Eastern Young Cattle
Indicator (EYCI) sitting currently at $6.59c/kg. How strong can it
get? Your guess is as good as mine.
Over the last month we have seen some very good grain fed cattle
enter the market and return some massive prices up to $3.50c/kg
and head returns of up to $2200. Feeder and restocker cattle are
reaching new levels again with restocking steers up to $4.10c/kg
and heavy feeder steers up to $3.75.
The cow market has been very sporadic with prices easing this
week. The best of our cows made up to $2.60c/kg back from $2.80c/
kg the week prior.
The next month will be an exciting one for all produces, agents and
processors trying to juggle these markets.
For any other information on markets don’t hesitate to call.
By Adam Chudleigh

Week ending: 30 June 2016
It was a strong finish to the 2015/16 season with the NRI gaining 14 cents to close at 1,317 the second highest season closing level on record.

Although all 3 centres were in operation it was another small sale of 28,866 bales making it the smallest 3-centre sale since August. It was a similar pattern to last week with the overall market spurred on by strong support in the medium/broader micron ranges, while the finer microns results lagged their broader counterparts, firming by a more modest 5 to 10 cents clean.

Merino Skirtings maintained good competition and firmed slightly. Merino Cardings also held firm for the week. Crossbreds had mixed results; recent support for the finer microns (25/26) persisted this week while the broader microns lost ground.

Two more auctions remain before the annual three week recess; next week is estimated at 38,265 bales.

With all the wet weather stock grazing on winter forage crops may not be currently performing to their potential. Symptoms may include scouring, increased respiration, agitation, nasal and ocular discharge and lameness.

There is often a poor balance of the nutrients stock required to ensure their digestive and metabolic systems function properly. This results in poor feed utilisation (wasted feed), poor growth and weight gain potential.

Supplementation of stock with Grazemax Ultra loose mix has shown significant weight gain advantages and up to 65% less feed consumed per kilo of weight gain. Crop nitrogen requirements should also be closely assessed to meet potential crop demands.

Many factors will influence crop requirements such as paddock history, sowing nutrition, grazing, target yield and weed presume to name a few. Ground-spread topdressing opportunities are a little difficult at the moment so it’s best to be prepared. Speak to a local agronomist to help with topdressing considerations.