Markets during the early part of the week across eastern Australia saleyards have been nothing short of spectacular. This in itself has prompted many vendors to take the money and run.

Secondly some graziers who may wish to harvest their winter crops have decided now is the time to close paddocks in anticipation of harvesting some grain.

Finally with 6 to 8 days of almost spring like weather roads have begun to dry out allowing some truck movement of livestock.

With all these favourable happenings, Dubbo agents at the draw on Wednesday, August 9 saw 5445 head coming to the fore.

These numbers will no doubt attract an expanded gallery of buyers which in win should help to flush out further substantial yardings in the weeks to come.

A warning to prime lamb producers about presentation of their production during these very lush times.

The writer spoke to two major lamb buyers and both expressed disappointment that they could not operate on all pens of lambs due to the soiled and urine-stained conditions of the various lots.

We spend a lot of time and money on growing this very good product and at times in these very wet conditions it is very hard to keep lambs clean and dry. Attention should be given to the removal of all dags and a good lockup period prior to loading is also a valid suggestion.

Many producers give all their lambs heading to market a crutch prior to sale and this is a rule of thumb that all vendors should probably give some consideration.

The competition to the reduced supply of slaughter cattle across eastern Australia has once again intensified as major sheds try to show up their remaining reduced kill schedules. The increased rates on offer have hardly caused a bubble.

Producers have elected not to take the price and concentrate on further weight gains. The five most Eastern state according to figures released only managed to process 122,632 head last week.

This follows a bad four week cycle showing an average kill sheet well short of 125,000 head per week. Last week in QLD slaughter figures were down 18 per cent when compared to the same week the previous year, while New South Wales lost 31 per cent.

Further price rises seem unlikely, processors already claim to be incurring losses on each carcass they process so why would they further add to their pain and supply even a greater level of loss.  

Some of the major sheds are now seriously contemplating a shut down for a winter refurbishment and the payment of workers entitlement and accruals.