Most of the eastern half of
Queensland has received up to 150 mm of rain in the last week, which has been
heralded as 'the best rain for many years' and sets up for a good summer. Most
of NSW and Victoria have received between 10 and 100 mm of rain, which was
welcomed by all except those making silage.
These rains have meant much lower
yardings of cattle particularly in Queensland and therefore upward pressure on
prices. Over hooks prices have lifted about 35 c/kg dressed over the last two
weeks with southern Queensland processors quoting 350c/kg for best grass
bullocks and 335 c/kg for heavy cows.
Volumes of beef shipped to Japan
generally increase from October in order to arrive in Japan before their peak
winter demand period of Christmas/New Year. But shipments this October are
likely to be well below October 2004 levels of more than 35,000 tonnes.
Speculation that US product may enter Japan before the end of the year, is
believed to be disrupting purchases.
The Japanese government good
safety panel will meet on whether to declare American beef safe for consumption
on 31 October 2005. If approved, the panel's report will be forwarded to the
Health and Agricultural Ministers and subjected to a month of public hearings
before the government makes a final decision on lifting the ban. It seems very
unlikely that US beef will enter Japan this year.
Following the initial Brazilian foot and mouth disease
outbreak there have been three further outbreaks in the State of Mato Grosso Do
Sul. As a result 32 beef importing countries including the major Russian and EU
markets have imposed partial or total bans.
Thirty-six females sold to a top
of $4,200 and an average of $3,055 at the Ben Darroch Production Sale last
Friday. The top priced cow with a Milou calf at foot sold to Peter and
Christine Behsman's Huntly Limousin Stud at Deniliquin, NSW. Volume buyers
Scott and Tessa Stow bought three females to a top of $3,750 to add to their
newly established Limstow Stud at Warrenbayne in Victoria.
Ten bulls sold to a top of $4,000
(twice) and averaged $3,200. Volume buyer was Shepparton based agent Charles
Medland who purchased five bulls to a top of $3,750 for four clients. The
embryo packages sold at $500 per embryo.
Limousins dominated at the 180
head and 15 bull stud display at the North Coast National Show at Lismore, NSW.
Limousins from Queensland took five of the seven interbreed awards. The most
decorated animal was John and Rosemaree McCarthy's Rosehill Tartan 6 with four
major awards. The four year old cow with a strapping calf at foot took out
Supreme Champion Show Female and was in the Champion of Champions male/female
breed pair and the winning all breeds breeders group.
The other half of the Champion of
Champions trophy was the All Breeds Senior Champion Bull Tanview XPO exhibited
by Kenneth and Tanya Falkenhagen, Tanview Stud at Boonah, Queensland.
Limousin success at Lismore
extended to the led steer competition with a black Limousin steer shown by the
McCarthy Catholic School at Tamworth taking out the 420-520 kg class and Grand
Champion Steer award.
Don’t forget the workshop at
Mollymook on 5th and 6th November. Commencing at 1pm on
the Saturday presentations will include stock agents Stuart Warden of AJ
Campbell of Nowra and Ashley Clark of Landmark at Moss Vale together with
Veterinarian Dr Gary Parker. The Sunday morning will include a range of 'hands
on' demonstrations and inspections of cattle at the Willow Park Limousin Stud
and the Kendalldale commercial Limousin herd.
Late bookings will be taken up
until Wednesday 2 November by phoning Max and Val Atkins on 02 4456 4388.
The closing date to get weights
and docility scores etc submitted for our next Breedplan Genetic Evaluation is
2 December 2005. To enter this data the animal must first be recorded or
registered so it is strongly recommended that this is done at least two weeks
prior to the closing date for performance data so that any rejections can be
tidied up.
As for last year, any spring born
calves that will have docility scores submitted before the June 2006 docility
analysis, they will also need to be registered before 2 December 2005.
If your herd is not in Breedplan
you will still need to get registrations for your autumn born calves done
before Christmas to avoid late fees.
Sale of the week in this weeks
Stock Journal were six Limousin steer vealers offered by MA & BJ Telford of
Eight Mile Creek in SA. Weighing 364 kg they made 244 cents/kg or $888.
Following are some outstanding
sales for Limousin cattle at Warragul Saleyards over the last two weeks:
1 Vealer Steer 455 kg @ $249.6 kg = $1,135 Acc S Castello, Thorpdale
1 Vealer Steer 400 kg @ $246.2 kg = $984 Acc C Kent, Lillico
1 Vealer Steer 380 kg @ $237.2 kg = $901 Acc S Rigano, Ferndale
1 Steer 475 kg @ $220.2 kg = $1,045 Acc G Young, Shady Creek
1 Heifer 420 kg @ $221.2 kg = $929 Acc A Morrison, Glengarry
1 Bullock 810 kg @ $170.2 kg = $1,378 Acc I Mayoe, Cloverlea
8 Cows 594 kg @ $162.6 kg = $965 Acc D Godman, Labertouche
1 Vealer 335 kg @ $234.2 kg = $784 Acc W Widmer, Trida
1 Heifer 480 kg @ $212.2 kg = $1,018 Acc J Ballantyne, Brandy Creek
1 Cow 555 kg @ $172.2 kg = $955 Acc M Persico, Drouin South
1 Bull 1115 kg @ $179.6 kg = $2,2002 Acc Tandara Limousin, Neerim
Yours in
Limousin
Alex McDonald