End of a year with highs and lows

ANOTHER year has flown by with 2024 having highlights and a few lowlights. 

The Tasmanian season started on a dry note with not many parts of the state getting any sort of an autumn and this followed on from a very average 2023 spring. 

As it has turned out much of the state has ended up with a good to very good spring and we are start ing to see the results in the quality of lambs and young cattle in our saleyards. 

In Eastern states there have been some very dry areas like South Australia and Western Victoria and some parts of NSW, but there have been some very good sea sons in many areas and in particular Northern NSW and Queensland which is having an impact on current cattle prices as those buyers head south looking for cattle. 

Last week at Powranna agents yarded 1,539 store cattle, 900 fewer than the November sale. 

There was a wide range of breeds and quality and follow ing the recent very good rains the market was much dearer with many steers $200 to $400 higher while heifers improved $150 to $200/head. Heavy yearling steers (400+ kg) made $1,180 to $1,800 (av. 430c), medium (330-400 kg) $1,200 to $1,820 (425c) and light $880 to $1,420 (385c). 

Most weaner steers made $920 to $1,500 (450c). 

The few heavy yearling heifers made $1,320 to $1,460, medium $1,020 to $1,320 (350c) and lighter $400 to $960. Weaner heifers made $900 to $1,120/head. 

There were 57 cow and calf units and these sold to strong competition with the best making $1,500 to $2,200 and the seconds $260 to $1,100 per unit. 

On the lamb and sheep side, prices are improved significantly through the year. At this time last year we were struggling to give mutton away and right through the interstate markets we are seeing most mutton averaging 350c to 400c/kg carcass weight. 

The same could be said for lambs with prices improving through the winter and early spring and then continuing on at record levels (for this time of the year) right through to this week where heavy lamb averages are sitting around 950c and plenty of lambs nudging 1,000c/kg. 

In general terms the year of 2024 has seen record numbers and tonnages of all red meat processed and exported which must give producers confidence going forward. 

We have seen 37 million sheep and lambs processed this year with three weeks to go so processing capacity is in good shape.

I would like to wish all readers a very happy Christmas and a great 2025, and if driving please give yourself plenty of time to arrive safely.