Rains a good start for cattlemen as prices are high

1
2372

By ERWIN CHLANDA

Cattlemen are looking for follow-up rain – a likelihood in this year of La Niña – after good recent falls north and south of Alice Springs.

North of town they reached 70mm, Gemtree 84mm, and also around 70mm south of The Alice, says Cattlemen’s Association CEO Ashley Manicaros: “It’s a good start.”

Prices for cattle remain high, driven up by the scarcity created by drought that in some areas resulted in less than five millimetres of rain in 18 months.

Re-stocking in Queensland is also keeping prices high.

Cows pregnancy tested in calf are bringing more that $2100 per head in SA and Victoria, increases of some $250 a head, and heifer by $42, says Mr Manicaros.

“One of the good things of the arid zone region is that the pasture bounces back very quickly.

“Those who de-stocked would now want to let their land rejuvinate on the back of these rains, and then look at re-stocking to the level they had two or three years ago.

“Feed bouncing back now will give them a chance to sell stock they had maintained, recovering some of the overheads they had during the dry spell, including buying hay.”

It will be a few months yet before the cattlemen, provided they get follow-up rains, will move into the black.

PHOTO from the Bureau of Metereology – a cloud-free Centre again, waiting for La Niña.

1 COMMENT

  1. La Niña rains will come. Flood mitigation will reduce insurance premiums on the new cultural centre.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here