Cattle and sheep yardings are down but prices are holding well at South East markets, according to a local agents.
Livestock valued at $158 million passed through the gates of the Naracoorte saleyards last financial year.
A total of 75,543 cattle were sold, worth more than $105 million, while 382,844 sheep and lambs were sold, worth about $52 million.
The market recorded the highest average price per head for cattle and sheep.
Naracoorte Lucindale Council operations director Steve Bourne said cattle numbers were down, but sheep and lamb numbers were quite strong.
“The prices in the yards were better than the direct selling price, so it brought more through the yards,” he said.
Ray White Keatley principal and livestock agent Dale Keatley said the cow market was firm overall, but bullocks and yearling cattle prices had recorded a slight dip in price.
He said store cattle prices had softened; small cattle were selling for $3.20 a kilogram to $3.60/kg liveweight and some isolated lines cost more than $4/kglwt.
“Bullocks are making $2.80-$3.10/kg lwt. Feeder steers have come back 20c/kglwt and yearling slaughter cattle have dropped as much as 15–20c/kglwt,” he said.
Mr Keatley echoed Mr Bourne’s comments about low cattle numbers.
“There are more cattle on grain than normal, and that is affecting the market,” he said.
“Last season, many people decided to feed grain to cattle, thinking they could value-add livestock.
“With grain feeding cattle, it is all about timing in and out of the feedlot. As when spring comes, there will be more grassfed product.”
Mr Keatley said there might be a slight correction in cattle prices in the next few months as stock numbers increase. He said lamb prices look to be positive.
