THE big wet is still upon us.
Forbes among it as much as anywhere.
It’s the wettest winter nearly in living memory.
There will be a lot of damage to crops and pasture in the flood country, but away from the river there’s a very big spring coming.
From the top of Queensland to the bottom of Victoria and South Australia the season is unbelievable.
The problems coming from this scenario will be what to do with the feed.
At the moment store cattle prices are hitting record after record, showing the desperation many have to graze out or for restocking.
If you are selling cattle on the current market this might be alright, but coming in fresh at $2500 to $3000 for cows with calves or $1300 for steers still looks a bit risky. It’s a big outlay to make in one go.
Store sheep prices look to be similar to other years.
The lamb and sheep market has been good this year and still is.
Sheep might be a safer bet on the trading front. Especially if you can also cut a bit of wool.
In the prime markets the weather is playing a major role in keeping these markets above what is normally a sliding spring market.
Just watch out for a while when the roads dry out and the stock can start to move again. I don’t expect a great collapse in prices, but a definite correction.
If this starts to happen don’t panic and add to the problem, maybe hold some animals back until it levels out a bit again, especially if you have feed.
A few of the big store sheep sales have started and a few have been postponed.
It will be interested to see what some of the young Merino ewes make this season.
First-cross ewes are selling well.
Forbes had a store cattle sale last Friday and Limousin cows with calves hit $3200. That is a record for the Forbes market.
There have been some very good prime sales at Forbes this year where the north meets the south.
I never thought I’d say let’s hope it stops raining for a while now, and let the spring role in.
But, there’s even more rain forecast for today and tomorrow as I pen this column.
May it start to dry out soon.
The potential for a fantastic spring and summer are so close.
I wish everybody the best for the rest of the year.
- Tim Mackay is a member of the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association (ALPA).