The Farmhand, Naracoorte Community News
434 cattle offered on Tuesday 27th July. It’s winter and the numbers and quality reflect the conditions at present.
Market consisted of some supplementary fed but mainly secondary winter types. Prices tended firm to 10 cents dearer. 500kg plus steers were selling from 390-473 c/kg, heifers 345-470 c/kg, trade and vealer and trade steers sold from 485-548 c/kg and heifers were 410-550 c/kg and feeder and re-stocker cattle 510-562 c/kg. The cow yarding saw heavy cows top at 371 c/kg with most selling between 310-360 c/kg, medium and light weight cows selling from 255-310c/kg and Bulls returned 255-310 c/kg.
Tuesday, 27th July, saw an offering of 2182 lambs and 1190 sheep. Yarding comprised a limited supply of all types, lacking any larger runs. The market overall firm to $10/$20 dearer with heavier lambs selling from $210-$299/head trading at 840-900 c/kg, trade weight lambs of good quality sold from $170-$225/head these returning carcass prices between 880-980 c/kg and the lighter lambs made between $135-$175/head, small plain lambs selling for $85-$130/head. The sheep market was a little subdued with a lack of competition due to light numbers yarded. Heavy sheep return $160-$245/head, medium weights $135-$170/head and light plain ewes $100-$135/head, rams $90-$150/head.
Winter is here and rainfalls for the past month are at levels at the high end of averages. Even have heard the odd farmer say we had enough for the moment.
Feed supplies in the areas north of town are still tight but we can see the spring having a great feed result based on the amounts of moisture already received. Some are already weaning lambs while others are still marking, the lambs currently being weaned are slightly behind the same time last year due to the slow start to season, but with a drench and prospect of good feed going forward you will see these early lambs improve quickly. Already some early suckers have been marketed with weights ranging from 15 kg to 32kg l/wt and prices reflect that there is demand from all areas to put a few out.
15 kg lambs returned $90-$105 and better 30kg store $140-$160, not bad considering they aren’t that heavy. Contracts offered for lamb ranging between 850-740 c/kg d/wt delivery up to end October which gives confidence going forward that the market will remain solid right through.
Quote: “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.”
This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News, 11 August 2021.
