Australia: National cattle yardings reach their highest level in almost two years

National cattle yardings rose sharply this week across most states and reached their highest level in 2022 with 56,737 head yarded. This is 57% or 20,600 head above the yearly average and the highest since yarding since February 2021. Three key factors drove the improved supply: A wet week last week affecting mustering ability and transport access Increasing numbers of stock reaching finished weights from 2021 and 2020 calf drops Forecasted wet weather to return next week, driving producers to seize a selling opportunity. Strong performances this week included: At a saleyard level, Dalby on the Darling Downs recorded its highest yarding since late February 2021. Intense demand for processor bought heavy steers drove prices higher by 2% or $48 to average $2,734/head across the country despite a 97% increase in supply this week. The 2,000 grown steers yarded in Queensland this week averaged their heaviest on the scales at 529kg since the second week of January and lifted 23kg/head ...