Mar 2010

The recovery in the beef market continues with bull schedules now reaching yearly highs, and manufacturing cow prices also seasonally strong. The prime schedules are now back to where they were last year, and this schedule optimism, coupled with good feed supplies in many areas, has ignited the early weaner calf sales. Prices seem to have started $50-60 ahead of last year, but better feed conditions have helped improve the quality in some cases. With strong demand for breeding sheep, options for utilizing extra feed are limited, and many will just have to accept these higher weaner calf prices.

The Trend this week rose for Bull (337c) and for Prime grades(341) . Values are ahead of last year for bulls and the same for Prime steers. The exchange rate has risen this week to .70c against the US$ and seems fairly settled at this level.

Local trade schedule prices have followed ahead of export schedules at between 345-370c/kg. The store market is strong with feed influencing sales.Saleyard and local trade prime steers have been tracking slightly ahead of export schedules, with the south behind the north in price.

Prospects look good for a strong calf selling season with early sales well ahead of last year. Average heifers are selling for 230-260c/kglwt while steers are selling for 260-285c/kglwt.

M&WNZ mid season update at 0.73USD predicts bulls will average 279c/kgCWT while prime stock is forecasted at 284c/kg

NOTE -See local trade page for beef.

New season outlook 2009/2010 Click here>>>

for more trend graphs, see

- lamb
- beef
- deer
- velvet

for more perspectives, see

- Exchange rates
- Commodity price detail
- Farm cost indexes
- Interest rate trends
- Rural credit aggregates
- Farm sales activity
- International dairy prices

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