An increase in demand and the prices being paid came on the back of good rains last week across southern Australia.
On Thursday Leongatha yarded 2200 head with reports it was restockers who were prominent, with the heavy periodic falls during the actual sale doing nothing to deter interest.
The next day just up the road at Bairnsdale it was more of the same although the yarding was smaller at just 1100 head.
Early last week Mount Gambier combined agents had drawn for a yarding of around 1800 head for their monthly store sale.
But by Wednesday, following falls of up to 60mm across the region, there was an expectation many vendors would keep their cattle at home taking advantage of a bit more feeding time.
That's exactly what happened with just 1300 cattle on offer to a strong market.
The reason given is that, just like producers in the Mount Gambier region, many are taking advantage of demand for heavier better finished stock, and are keeping what they've got on pastures boosted by heavy spring rain.
Female kill concerns continue
There are more alarm bells being rung about the number of female cattle going to slaughter.
As has been reported Meat & Livestock Australia has projected Australia's cattle slaughter will reach 8.4 million head in 2019, and also that the percentage of female cattle for the year remain around 54 per cent.
That's lead MLA to forecast a drop in the national herd to a record low of 25.5 million
Rabobank's analysis is that the high cow percentage is already having an impact, indicated by the drop in male cattle going to slaughter.
All analysis points towards an expectation that when the drought breaks demand for replacement breeding stock up against the ongoing demand to meet domestic and export markets could make an already expensive commodity even dearer.
That includes one forecast that after the rain comes the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator could be pushed into the 800c/kg territory.
Next week those scenarios and possibilities will be up for discussion when Red Meat 2019 gets underway in Tamworth.
It's described as the the industry's flagship event, and includes the annual general meeting of MLA and other industry groups.
Australian Community Media (the publishers of this website) will be there and reporting on what happens.
You can also watch many of the proceedings live with details about how to login found here.
Start the day with all the big news in agriculture! Click here to sign up to receive our daily Farmonline newsletter.
