CATTLE and sheep sales have been hit hard as the hot, dry weather forces more stock onto the market across the State.
Bob Jamieson Agencies principal Bob Jamieson, Inverell, said the situation was desperate as producers scrambled to find an outlet for stock for which they had run out of feed and water.
“I’d estimate the dams on people’s properties would be at less than 20 per cent full, and many of the creeks in the district are starting to dry out,” he said.
“It’s been the heat wave a couple of weeks ago that has really drained everything out of the soil and grasses, which hit farmers hard.”
“There’s more hot weather on the way and that’s going to force even more stock onto the market.”
At Inverell on Tuesday the cattle yarding hit 2570 which is at least 700 head more than a normal January yarding for that centre.
JA McGregor Livestock and Property Pty Ltd livestock manager Mark Smith, Warialda, said this was the biggest yarding at Inverell in about 12 months.
“There are quite a lot of cows and calves being sold here today simply because of water problems,” he said.
Mr Smith said water was becoming a common talking point from Inverell to Moree.
“There hasn’t been any decent run-off since February/March last year.”
The Inverell yarding was mainly local stock, but had incuded some Queensland lots, he said.
“People are selling breeders they wouldn’t normally get rid of.”
Likewise at Gunnedah’s Tuesday prime sale, supply surged to more than 4000 head which was a direct result of graziers running out of feed and water.
Mr Jamieson estimated the rush of cattle onto the market had meant a 30 cents a kilogram to 45c/kg discount in young cattle in the past month.
“The storms we got in early December meant the market had some strength behind it, but it’s turned quickly and interest from buyers has waned significantly.”
In an already overflowing market, it’s been predicted supply will remain high until it rains or people don’t have anymore cattle to sell.
It’s a similar story in the Riverina where running out of water had been the determining factor for many graziers selling at the most recent Wagga Wagga sheep and cattle sales.
Rodwells agent Ryan Schiller, Wagga, said some graziers were finding the going tough this summer with dams all but dry and the hot weather draining condition from stock.
He estimated about 80pc of the prime cattle yarding at Monday’s sale were still in prime condition, but he expected this to decline in coming weeks.
“Our feed situation is not as dire as some areas in the north, but it’s starting to dry out and that’s going to have an effect in the next few weeks,” Mr Schiller said.
He said there were 6310 cattle offered on Monday and this was about 1600 head more than the sale the week before.
“I expect until we get rain to top up the water supplies there will continue to be plenty of cattle on the market,” he said.
At the close of Tuesday’s markets, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator settled on 291.75c/kg (carcase weight) which is about 30c/kg lower than a month ago.
