From strength to strength goes the prime cattle market, leaving everyone from breeders to killers shaking their heads in wonderment.
"It's good to see that everybody gets their turn," said Riverina Livestock agent James Tierney, commenting on the Wagga Wagga prime sale this week, saying it was "easily the dearest market I've seen" with buyers competing for feeders and grown steers, pushing both categories up 15 to 20c/kg.
Fat heifers to the butchers, 420kg, made 530c/kg and genuine cows to the processors topped at 352c/kg.
At Forbes this week there were increased numbers and a lift in prices from 15c to 20c/kg across most grades with some sales dearer, as reported by MLA.
Agent Ryan Browne, Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon and Co, said black feeder steers sold strongly to 520c/kg, while cattle to the butchers, 600kg, made 420 to 430c/kg or $2550. Big cows around 600kg were bringing bids to 325c/kg.
"There is rain about and more to come. Prices were strong last week and they've only got better," he said.
Justin Sanderson, Richardson and Sinclair, Dubbo, predicted the situation moving forward was all positive, with a shortage of grinding beef in the US and trade negotiations with the UK making the "future for the producer look very solid".
"There's been rain from Coonamble to the coast last week and again this weekend it's shaping up to be a very good spring," he said.
Walcha grass fed buyer Greg Upton confirms there is a real sense of confidence in the beef industry, with whispers of truths that US processors are making a tidy profit as rising demand pushes prices for grinding meat higher.
"There's a shortage of meat in the world and that is unlikely to change for a number of years," he said. "It is a positive thing for the beef market although store cattle are exceedingly expensive.
"The American market offers guidance for the rest of the world and what is happening there will be positive for us."
Merriwa feedlotter Robert Gill, Alexander Downs, continues to turn off soft steers to the "best butchers and quality conscious housewives" who appreciate the finish, which involves a special ration that has been in use since 1994.
But Mr Gill is concerned about how much further the household budget can stretch with prices continuing firm to dearer every week.
"I don't know if people can afford the meat," he said. "For a husband and wife with two kids, on a budget, and the fact that meat at the butcher has risen 50pc in the last couple of years ... how far does that budget stretch?
"Where do the priorities lie? Studies show that meat is not in the top five priorities - Friday night comes before beef ... Entertainment comes before beef."
