FIRST it was lack of feed, now the lack of water has pressed cattle breeders who still have stock, to destock even further.
Steers are fast running out of supply, so lotfeeders and backgrounders are looking at heifers to replace their brothers on the processing chain and price returns have been encouraging.
Firm to dearer prices continued through prime cattle sales last week and followed into this week among larger numbers in yardings.
At Moss Vale last Wednesday middle-weight heifers to processors lifted 10 cents/kg liveweight making from 230c/kg to 321c/kg with well finished heifers selling up to 268c/kg.
On the same day at Casino, restocker weaner heifers sold mainly to backgrounders to average 187c/kg, up 20c/kg while trade yearling heifers gained 10c/kg when selling to 270c/kg.
This followed to last Thursday at Armidale where grown heifers suitable to feed gained strong interest making up to 295c/kg and at Dubbo heifer yearling sold from 255c/kg to 289c/kg while feeder heifers were 8c/kg to 12c/kg dearer making 250c/kg to 284c/kg with restocker heifers 185c/kg to 270c/kg.
At Tamworth on Monday, restockers showed great interest in lightweight cattle with yearling heifers attracting the strongest competition regardless of muscle score resulting in values increasing by up to 15c/kg.
Prices continued up at Scone on Tuesday where heifers over 200kg were secured by restockers at values 10c/kg to 15c/kg dearer and up to 266c/kg.
Tamworth agent, Chris Paterson of Chris Paterson Livestock, said backgrounder types were heading to southern buyers where there is more feed.
"The buying strength here is still feedlots, and they have to be as there are not as many steers coming through," Mr Paterson said.
"Most people have sold their steers and now they're selling their heifers as a last resort."
He suggested there could be a four to five per cent less yield difference between heifers and steers.
"But lotfeeders don't mind heifers as they fatten quicker on grain," he said.
The disadvantage was feedlots were also trying to cut down on grain costs.
"It's a week-to-week proposition at present as people are sending in cattle now because they are running out of water."
Dubbo agent, Paul Dakin of PT Lord Dakin, said buyers who had some feed availability could have an each-way bet with heifers.
"The security of buying runs of quality females gives assurity of an each-way bet," he said.
"They can either grow herfers out for feedlots, or feed them, or if conditions improve, they have a good line to join as restocking investments."