WHILE there has been some useful, even encouraging storm rain about in the past week, hot and dry conditions continue to drive slaughter cattle market thinking.

In the first real weather change since winter for many, light falls of an inch or so fell in isolated patches in a diagonal band stretching from the NT’s top end across into southern Queensland over the past seven days, reminding cattle producers that there might be some moisture relief about in the run through to Christmas.

See BOM’s seven-day rainfall summary below, for the period ending 9am this morning, and below it, the next eight-day forecast suggesting there is little to follow, apart from Tasmania.

In Queensland, competitive export processor direct consignment grids are mostly unchanged this week, after some 10c/kg downwards adjustments a week earlier to align prices with competitors.

Plants in southern Queensland this week have offers of 690c/kg on heavy cows and 760c with a HGP (some offers 770c/kg no HGP).

Central Queensland plants are 20c/kg behind those rates, in what is the first weather-related drop in price seen for quite a while.

“The weather is definitely bringing numbers forward,” a Queensland supply chain contact told Beef Central this morning.

In southern states, local supply has continued to gain some traction this week, partly driven by dry conditions. It’s pushed some grids in southern NSW and eastern parts of South Australia another 20c/kg lower, with quotes seen this morning of 810c/kg on four-tooth grass ox and 740c/kg on good heavy cows, as supply has shifted gear.

That follows  20c/kg declines in the same offers a week earlier, taking away a fair chunk off the big southern ‘premium’ (relative to Queensland prices). The same animals in late October were still worth 850c/kg for steers and 780c/kg on good heavy cows.

Some vendors took advantage of the particularly strong market for slaughter cows seen a month ago, but even as prices have eased since then, solid direct consignment bookings are still being reported, with most northern plants now well positioned until the first week in November.

Some regional Queensland export processing sheds will end their season in the first week of December, with others pushing through to the week ending 18 December, before seasonal closure. We will circle back with 2025 season closure dates and 2026 re-opening dates next month.

If seasonal conditions remain dry in the interim, congestion is definitely on the cards in the next couple of months.

Slaughter numbers

No weekly NLRS slaughter report had been issued by the time this item was published, but it will be added here when it arrives. The trend has been a gradual decline in throughput, nationally, over the past couple of months, led mostly by smaller kills in NSW and Victoria.

Last week’s kill will be impact by a Public Holiday in most states, although some Queensland processors scheduled working days, despite the gazetted break.

Saleyards trends

Saleyards slaughter cattle prices have generally stabilised this week, after pushing lower a week earlier. Some yardings have reduced in size, as producers respond to recent lower price movements.

Gunnedah sale this morning yarded 3870 head, similar to last week. Grown heifers over 540kg were cheaper, selling from 344-399c/kg, while heavy cows were slightly dearer 344-399c/kg.

Wodonga sale this morning yarded 1200, up 10pc on last week. Demand again fluctuated around quality and breed with only limited numbers of stock in each category. Heavy steers and bullocks suitable for processors were limited and competition weakened, selling from 414-460c/kg. Heavy cows were well supplied, the bulk making from 372-405c, with prices slipping 22c/kg. Leaner cows less than 520kg were very mixed, selling from 320-377c/kg.

Roma store sale yarded 5900 this morning, down about 2500 on last week, with some local rain about. Grown steers +600kg sold to 436c/kg to processors. Cows were yet to sell at the time the interim report was filed. Full report tomorrow.