PRICES for cattle on the east coast of Australia have reached a low point not seen since 2019, representing a ten year low for the industry according to auctioneer Jessie Stanton of G J Kennedy and Co., speaking after the sales in Macksville on Wednesday October 11.

Across the east coast of Australia in recent months, cattle prices have dropped to under $2 per kilo on average and although there was a slight increase in prices at last Wednesday’s Macksville sales, prices overall remained low.

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According to Jessie, this reflects the anxiety farmers are feeling towards the approaching growing season amid a forecast of lower-than-average rainfall.

“It’s a case of supply and demand,” explained Jessie.

“We need numbers of cattle for sale to drop before prices can rise.”

There are some positive signs, however, as only 170 cattle passed through Macksville last Wednesday morning compared to 450 in the sales three weeks ago.

This drop in numbers was similarly represented at larger east coast saleyards.

For example, in Dubbo numbers of cattle for sale in the most recent sales were down 60 percent.

Jessie puts this down to farmers having a slightly more optimistic outlook due to recent rain both inland and along the east coast.

According to Allan, a seasoned cattle farmer from Macksville, last fortnight’s sales saw some weaners go for 98 cents per kilogram, a heartbreaking price for cockies but a bargain for savvy buyers with pasture.

At last Wednesday’s sale, some weaners sold for $1.30 per kilogram, a rise of 30-40 cents a kilogram.

There were quite a few local cockies watching the recent sales, weighing up their options and whether to sell in coming auctions.

A small number of cows and calves went under the hammer for around $600.

The highest price per kilogram reached was for young steers, however this was usually under $2 per kilogram.

Allan said individual pricing is also dependent on the condition of the cows so averages only tell half the story.

One of the many flow-on effects from these conditions is that some abattoirs are booked out several months in advance.

One Coffs Harbour butcher blamed skill shortages across the board in the meat industry and said for farmers looking to sell cattle directly to consumers, in a paddock-to-plate style, this represents an extra challenge.

“We simply have too much work and usually just aren’t able to take on more,” he said.

By Ned COWIE