PRIME cattle prices in NSW saleyards may have taken a tumble in the past week, but that weaker trend is not being reflected in the store cattle market.
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A mixed yarding of young cattle at the Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange, Carcoar, last Friday was $15 to $20 a head dearer than the sale a month earlier.
Weaner steers hit a high of $1570, while the heifers topped at $1315. Quality cows with calves were in demand, hitting $3050.
The market was also solid at Tamworth last Friday where steers sold to $1335 and cows with calves to $2500 due to consistent local buyer demand.
Bowe and Lidbury agent Michael Easey, Gloucester, made note of the quality Angus weaners offered during the Gloucester store sale last Thursday.
He said support from the Hunter, North West and local buyers helped push steers to $1400.
It's clear much of the competition has been local graziers hoping to restock after years of drought or turn their grass into cash by backgrounding steers.
What remains to be seen is if this investment will pay off when processors are clearly forcing down the price for finished stock.
The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator dipped to 748 cents a kilogram (carcase weight) on Monday, while over-the-hooks rates for yearling steers sit at about 600c/kg.
Historically, all these prices sit well above the five-year average, but as consumers start to tighten their belts as the economy retracts, those cattle prices may not be sustainable.
Auctioneer school shifts online
COVID-19 has put a halt to auctioneer schools this year, but Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association has a great alternative agents can do in the comfort of their own home.
ALPA speech pathologist Eliza Galvin will run a series of sessions focusing on the different areas of voice use - clarity, projection, breathing and presentation.
Eliza is a familiar face at auctioneer schools and has worked with ALPA for more than 20 years, providing voice training specific to an auctioneer's needs.
These webinars will be particularly useful for finalists in their preparation for the upcoming young auctioneer competitions.
Agents can participate in all three webinars or focus on a specific topic.
The first session kicks off on Monday, July 27 (7.30pm) and will look at posture and breathing.
Eliza will work with participants to ensure they breathe effectively to support a strong, well-projected voice.
The second session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29 (7.30pm). This session will explore voice projection. Agents will learn how to easily project the voice in the auction environment, while maintaining vocal health.
The final session on Friday, July 31 (7.30pm) will concentrate on selling with clarity. Agents will learn to use the muscles of speech effectively, while maintaining the speed and rhythm of the auctioneer's patter.
- To book, visit www.trybooking.com/BKJRI or contact ALPA for further details, 02 9262 6633.
Congratulations to the Queensland finalists
THE 10 finalists for the 2020 ALPA Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition have been announced and they are:
- Corey Evans, Aussie Land & Livestock, Kingaroy
- Morgan Harris, TopX, Gracemere
- Brodie Hurley, Nutrien Livestock, Injune
- Brady Jackson, Elders Rural Services, Roma
- Simon Kinbacher, Elders Rural Services, Rockhampton
- Jake Robinson, Nutrien Livestock, Roma
- Justin Rohde, Nutrien Livestock, Rockhampton
- Cody Trost, GDL, Blackall
- Connor Veraart, Bartholomew & Co, Boonah
- Wyatt Wrigley, Eastern Rural, Dalby
The final will be held on Thursday, August 6 at Silverdale Saleyards, Silverdale, Qld.
Congratulations and best of luck to all the Queensland finalists.
The winner and runner-up get the chance to compete in the 2021 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition in Sydney.
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