Strong Sales Continue

TODAY at the Scone saleyards there was a yarding of 985 cattle with a small yarding of export stock and the majority of cattle made up of trade cattle of very good quality.

Zac Eade, auctioneer for Edlers at the Scone cattle sales.

Stuart Sheldrake, livestock agent for MacCallum Inglis said the cattle market prices are the best he’s seen.

“The market rose 10 to 15 cents to last week’s quotes,” said Mr Sheldrake.

“Most butcher calves that supplied local trade markets were from $3.10 to $3.35 per kilo,” he said,

“Cows sold to dearer trends and there was a good penning of vealer steers and heifers which sold to fully firm rates to last week’s quotes.

“I believe this year you will find breeding stock really come to the fore, from cows and calves through to young weaner heifers, which is due to the fact that there has been a major sell off of breeding stock throughout the country for the past four to five years.

“People are now starting to look at restocking,” he said.

“A lot of farmers will retain female stock and others will need to purchase stock,” Stuart Sheldrake said.

The Scone saleyards was averaging 1,200 head of cattle a week last year, but due to supply it is unlikely to reach those numbers consistently for some time.

“I think it is highly unlikely in the first six months of this year to go over 1,500, the numbers just aren’t there.

“Yearling steers and heifers were lighter numbers compared before Christmas,” he said.

Stewart explained the current trend of strong sale prices is driven by scarcity and an increasing export market.

“It’s a lack of numbers and our ties with China and the export market is kicking along,” he said.

“Markets that have opened up throughout Asia and the rest of the world has had a major factor and also the falling dollar, so all of those factors have had an influence on the prices we are seeing here today,” said Stewart.

The local saleyards continue to attract strong support from buyers and sellers which is largely due to the location of Scone.

“Scone is a good location, not too far from Newcastle and Sydney, it’s on the highway and it’s a very good nursery for trade cattle,” Stewart said.

“There is a good supply of Euro-cross calves being of Charolais and Limousine predominantly and they suit the local trade market.

“Transport costs also come into play and Scone is easy access to the highway which is important,” he said.

“Then there is JBS at our doorstep, a major buyer for the export market and they kill all the cattle here; the next closest abattoir would be Kurri,” Stewart Sheldrake said.

Read the full report form the Meat and Livestock Association: Scone Report.