According to the MLA the return to a full selling week saw total offerings at MLA’s NLRS reported saleyards increase 35% on last week, with grown cattle numbers jumping 19%.

Prices were mixed across the categories, with numbers and quality becoming increasingly tight in the southern states as winter deepens.

The grown cattle portion of this week’s markets made up 42% of all cattle offered, up from 35% for the corresponding week in 2011 – largely reflecting the favourable seasonal run across much of Queensland.

While at this time of year the cooler weather usually results in a slip in quality, there are still some good quality lines available in eastern states markets, but primarily through warmer regions.

The price difference across the states for heavy steers (500-600kg C4) became more pronounced this week, with the average saleyard heavy steer price in Queensland at 314¢/kg cwt (down 12¢ on last week) compared to 338¢/kg cwt in NSW (up 13¢) and 343¢/kg cwt in Victoria (down 10¢).

Somewhat surprisingly, weekly prices in all three states are above the corresponding week last year.

There was a 9% rise in the number of cows offered through saleyards this week, largely a response to last weeks reduced selling days. Reportedly, some producers are still keen to offload their heavier cows, with the heavier lines making up 27% of all cows offered this week.