China is poised to challenge Japan as our largest beef export market.

While most of the media attention has been on cattle destocking in the Eastern States, WA cattle producers are also now feeling the pinch.

Japanese tariffs on US beef will reduce from 38.5 per cent to 26.6pc.

STRONG demand for heavyweight and store lambs headlined the Mount Pleasant market on Thursday last week, while the cattle job remained "sound", according to Landmark Fawcett Mount Pleasant principal Colin Fawcett.

PRICES at the Naracoorte combined agents monthly store cattle sale last week were better than expected,despite just one major feedlotter operating on the steer run.

Early sales this week continued the trend for northern and southern rates to move into closer alignment.

Prices at Friday's Mount Gambier store market eased slightly from the lofty heights of last month

It is still unclear whether the US and Japan have reached agreement on a bilateral deal.

An increased yarding of sheep and lambs were met with fierce buyer competition at the Mount Pleasant cattle and sheep market on Thursday, with crossbred lambs topping at $198.

DESPITE prices being lower than usual at the third Murray Bridge prime lamb sale for the year on Monday, the quality of lambs on offer was on par with the offering of lambs at the market's previous sales.