Direct to works cow prices have reached a yearly high, with 240-280kg cwt cow prices averaging 267¢/kg cwt, according to MLA's market indicator.
Over the hooks cow prices usually peak at the end of winter as a result of tighter supplies and the US summer demand period.
At the same time last year, prices peaked at 263¢ before falling rapidly to a low of 217¢/kg cwt at the end of October.
Prices have been rising since the beginning of the year despite the appreciation of the A$ – due to increased demand for manufacturing product from both the US, Russia and South Asia.
Prices are still well below those of 2006, when they peaked at 285¢/kg cwt for medium weight cows.
Over the past week, all states except Tasmania and WA registered increases to over-the-hooks cow prices.
The highest quoted prices for heavy cows over 320kg cwt were:
- 260¢ in WA,
- 285¢ in Tasmania and
- 310¢/kg cwt in SA, Victoria and NSW.
In Queensland, southern prices were as high as 305¢ and northern prices up to 285¢/kg cwt.
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