SA cattle crack $3/kg

Earlier this year prices went agonisingly close to $3/kg at store markets, with heifers selling to $2.94/kg at the Hamilton, Vic, weaner sales in January.

Since then, prices have remained strong and on Tuesday, Padthaway farmers John and Di Fraser cracked $3.02/kg for five Murray Grey vealer steers at Naracoorte. They were aged 11 months and weighed 380kg, equating to $1150.

The Frasers also sold a 330kg vealer heifer at $3.03/kg or $1000.

At Mount Gambier yesterday yearling heifers topped $3.07/kg.

Nationally prices first topped $3/kg at Wagga Wagga, NSW, on Monday at $3.03/kg for vealers.

At Wodonga, Vic, 413kg steers were next to cross the $3/kg barrier at $3.13/kg on Tuesday.

Then on Wednesday Angus bullocks made $3.16/kg at Leongatha, Vic, where 40 per cent of the 1000-head yarding made more than $3/kg.

NSW feedlotter Robert Woodward, Garrison Feedlot, Murray Downs, bought the top Naracoorte pen.

"The market has been holding for many, many months, which is quite staggering considering the number of cattle sold through the early part of autumn," Mrs Fraser said.

Pinkerton, Palm, Hamlyn and Steen's Richard Harvie said the 1250-head yarding at Naracoorte met strong competition across the board.

"It was a very solid sale," he said.

"Most of the trade, killing cattle made from $2.80 to $2.95/kg. But I'd say the secondary, plainer cattle were the dearest of the market, making $2.50-$2.75/kg."

Mr Harvie said three weeks ago similar cattle made only $2.40-$2.60/kg.

Prostock Livestock's Kym Endersby, Mount Compass, said the cattle market had risen rapidly in the past few weeks.

"Obviously it's a good thing, as long as the market's not overheated, and we then get a correction," he said.

"Last week we hit $2.90/kg for steers and $2.40/kg for cows.

"In America and Australia cattle numbers are down, and the fall in the Australian dollar has helped.

"In the past few weeks we've had cows go for $1800, just to cut off their heads, and a bull made $2800 a couple of weeks ago, just to kill.

"If this is the going rate, that's absolutely fantastic, there's no two ways about it, but we need processors in business to buy the product."

At the Mount Compass market yesterday prices were just less than $3/kg, with vealer steers making to $2.99/kg and heifers going for $2.96/kg.