Cattle prices have got local producers smiling again this week, as the market’s winning streak continues into October.
The activity has again underlined the key role of the Narrabri stock selling centre in the district economy.
Prices surged at the start of September, with decent rain across drought affected areas giving producers the confidence to keep cattle rather than sell.
The rule of supply and demand then came into play, and limited supply caused the market to rise to levels not seen in several years.
Lighter cows doubled in price, and good steers smashed the $2 per kilogram barrier.
While prices have now plateaued, good quality cattle continue to fetch top dollar.
Heavy cows topped at $1.80 per kilogram at the Narrabri saleyards yesterday, a 60 cent improvement on the bottom of the market, when the same type of animals were selling for $1.20 per kilogram.
The best of the steers were worth $2.13 per kilogram, another significant jump considering prices largely failed to break the $2 barrier for the duration of the last financial year.
Local producer Philip Kirkby said recent rain has injected confidence into the industry.
“People were selling out of desperation before, but now they don’t have to sell, so it’s restricted supply to the market,” he explained.
“Two things have happened, wheat crops have failed so people have been able to use that for feed, and also they can see the seasons have changed and summer’s coming.”
He said it would be welcome relief for many graziers who continue to battle dry conditions.
“During the height of the drought last autumn they were selling cows for a dollar per kilo, and old skinny cows were only fetching $300 dollars all up, but now those very same cows are making nearly a thousand dollars if they’ve got a bit of meat on them,” he said.
While the conditions have meant some producers are able to keep their core breeding herd, those with cattle to sell are moving to take advantage of the prices.
Narrabri district is a destination of choice.
Stock routes in the region are bustling as drovers are given orders to either get mobs to market or move to better pastures. The routes have acted as a safe haven for cattle in recent months, with drovers bringing mobs to escape worsening drought conditions in the west and north.
Ben Williamson from Goondiwindi has walked nearly a thousand head of cattle south to Narrabri over the last four months.
He said the body of grass has improved during that time.
“When we started it was a bit patchy, but once we reached Moree there was a lot better feed available,” he said.
Ben will be on the road for a few more months as he walks the mob back to Queensland saleyards.
A mob from the Pilliga, owned by the Duddy family, could also be seen walking along the Old Gunnedah Road on Wednesday morning.