Beyond the Saleyards — Prices hold firm for WA markets

WA prices were stable last week with crossbred lambs remaining around 740¢ in the spot market and rising to 820¢ for July delivery.

Mutton and hoggets are bid 620¢ in the spot market, feedlots are bidding 340¢ for crossbred lambs and 330¢ for Merinos.

They are picking up a lot of stock at these numbers, making it hard to get space in the near term.

In east coast markets, mutton is bid 700¢ and hoggets slightly above.

Crossbred lambs are holding around 800¢ and Merinos at 780¢.

The wool market closed the week lower with the EMI off 32 to 1277¢. Passed-in bales increased to 16.9 per cent, up 7 per cent on the week prior.

Goat markets jumped during the past week with depots on the east coast back about 400¢ and processors continuing to bid above 1000¢.

Cattle processor grids took a hit to start the week with Teys lowering NSW and SA bids by 20¢ for everything except cows, which lowered by 10¢. Other processors have continued to hold numbers firm and the market is still at historically high rates. In WA, the restocker/feedlot market remains well bid above 470¢ for feeder steers.

Export orders have continued to come in for northern markets, with orders for delivery through April and May putting Brahman steers above 400¢, bulls around 400¢, heifers at 380¢ and cows close to 300¢.

Processor and feedlot market bids at the start of the week (¢/kg or $/head):

WA restockers: Angus/Murray Grey milk tooth feeder cattle – steers 475¢, heifers 450c. Contact LIVEstock Pricing for buyer details.

East coast processor prices: 100- day grain fed (HGP free): steers 700¢, heifers 695¢. Grass-fed: steers 695¢, heifers 690¢. Cows 600¢. Bulls 530¢.

Queensland feedlots: Black Angus: 495¢, Black Angus British X: 485¢, Wagyu X Angus: 660¢.

Queensland export orders: Feeder steers 400¢, slaughter steers 380¢. Feeder bulls 370¢, heifers 360¢, cows 270¢.

NSW feedlots (steers): Black Angus: 425¢. British, Euro X, Flat Back: 465¢, XB 445¢.

China export orders: Heifers (unjoined): Friesians $2100 Holstein (200+kgs no blood tests) $1000-$1200. Red Angus $1300. Jersey unjoined heifers (200kg) $1300.

Full price grids and details for all these orders are available in the LIVEstock Pricing app and online at livestockpricing.com.au.

Rob Kelly is the Founder and Managing Director of LIVEstock Pricing, a free service with the latest sheep, cattle and goat price grids in one easy-to-use app.