Cattle Prices in Australia

[Australian Cattleman]

Cattle prices have taken a dive over the past few weeks. Thank goodness we sold the biggest bulk of our calves before they dropped. Sold calves today,got about $75 a head more than last week. The high US dollar has got the blame for the drop. (81/82 cents for every US dollar). Its been so darn dry. The last week has seen some handy falls of rain in grain growing areas and areas that would buy our northern calves.
We are at the end of our wet season the southern areas are about to start their wet season. We don't usually expect much rain in Winter or early Spring. Last year we had unprecedented rain during the last month of Winter. Hope it happens again this year. No frosts yet hope we go another month without them.
Colin

 

[skcatlman]

At least you haven't had to deal with the drop in prices that canadian cattlemen have had to absorb over the past couple of years due to bse. Our cull cows were as low as a couple of cents a pound, With our new SRM regulations it expected that our cull prices for older cow might drop again from 20 to 25 cents a pound back to the 5 to 10 cents per pound. Older bred cows at bred sales 8+ months along about a month ago were bringing $350 TO $600 at a sale i attended. We went thru a really bad drought a few years ago and i don't know which is worse having cattle worth almost nothing or having cattle and being so dry there is almost no feed growing and having to haul water. All i can say is at least rain will help your situation. We have to deal with politicians. I'd rather wait for rain than answers from politicians.

 

[Australian Cattleman]

You are right we have nothing to whinge about compared to Canada. I think I may have had our money thing around the wron way. For every one of our dollars equals 81/82 cents US. We had a beef slump back in 1974 where bullocks were making $35 a head. Those people that were able to buy at that price recouped that many times over about 18months later selling them for $600+
The weather is just starting to cool down. We were down to about 3c this morning just about 100ks south they got down to zero.

 

[OK Jeanne]

I've heard that the Murray River is practically dry....the
entire watershead basin in fact---and irrigation is about
to be shut off this area, that produces around 25% of
Australia's food supply. Is it true?

 

[Australian Cattleman]

Jeanne,the Murray isn't dry but the water allocations for irrigation are in dire straits. They are hoping for a decent snow season this winter. Last year was pretty bad with not as much snow up in the high country.
Our first frost here this morning. Don't like it too early,makes for a long winter.
Colin

 

[Keren]

So has winter set in up there Colin? We are still experiencing summerish days. Wagga has well and truly had its autumn break but we are still waiting. Also, no frosts for us yet. Prices are down here also, but not too bad. I will be heading up your way in a little while, for the meat judging competition in Armidale. Cant wait!

 

[Australian Cattleman]

We have had a very mild late autumn. Had one light frost so far. Could do with about 50 or 60 mls. Doubt that we will get it. Could be some sleet about early next week.