Australia: What saleyard trends tell us about cattle availability
Younger cattle show an increasing share of processor throughput
The MLA Cattle Transactions dataset allows MLA Market Analysts to separate saleyard processor purchase numbers by category. This provides indications of steer age and turnoff decisions for the following categories:
Grown steer processor purchases have decreased nationally over the last three quarters. In the June quarter, only 59% of processor steers were grown steers – the smallest proportion since June 2019 - the peak of the national drought.
Young cattle processor purchases have conversely increased, with vealer steers making up 7% of the June quarter sales.
Contrasting climate conditions increase slaughter-ready animal numbers
Dry conditions impacting southern Australia have caused destocking to manage carrying capacity, while favourable conditions across northern Australia have generally led to herd growth. An elevated supply of processor-ready animals has resulted.
Climate differences across states have also led to increased interstate cattle transactions. Northern systems are taking lighter cattle for growth while southern systems take finished cattle for processing.
National grown steer numbers have decreased due to the need for stock turnoff. A state-by-state supply breakdown confirms southern states are driving the younger turnoff.
Victoria has seen a dip in grown steer throughput - a result of ongoing drought conditions. Conversely, in the past quarter, Queensland is the only state to see increased grown steer saleyard throughput. Northern systems have utilised feed availability by purchasing and growing lighter cattle from the south.
Elevated supply of younger steers could result in a lower national carcase weight average. However, improvements to genetics, productivity and the use of feedlots for drought mitigation may combat this reduction with less impact on national beef production.
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