Stock Report: August 21

By Stuart Sheldrake

THERE were 1,290 cattle yarded today, so an increased yarding.

The majority of yard were made up of cows and a lot of smaller bobby calves under 120 kilos and also some plainer weaners and feeder types.

The prediction of a shower of rain at the weekend is being talked up so hopefully it happens and it has impacted on the market.

If we do get a break in the weather the cattle will dry up, so the exporters for cows were in the game today, especially people putting cows away and they could have been 40 cents dearer.

The heavy cows were probably no different it was firm so it has been one of the shining lights for people with good cows.

Bobby calves were probably slightly dearer, calves from 60 through to 130 kilos were approximately 10 cents dearer, with a couple of good liens presented.

All other trade cattle were slightly dearer.

We had one large mob there today of 180, where the property had been sold so that had some significance on the market.

On the back of a hint of rain on the weekend and the fear of cattle drying up if we do get a good shower.

Producers are selling because they need to be it water or food and feed is getting dearer or they can’t get it.

The price of feed is really starting to hurt people.

Cotton seed is $650 a ton if you can get it grain and it is becoming unaffordable to use, so people are looking at the grain option where they can.

It’s getting really tight to source any feed.

The good thing is if we can get a shower of rain this weekend and then get a bit of follow up in a couple of weeks time it’s the right time of year to be getting it.

We are heading into spring, days are getting longer and it is starting to get a bit warmer.

Trees are starting to bud up so it is the same with grass, soil temperatures are starting to rise and we’ll start getting a bit more growth.