More customers than cattle

Marts: There were two shades to the livestock trade across the country yesterday, with demand outstripping supply for forward store cattle at the marts, while sheep producers are very disappointed with the factory trade for hoggets, which continues sluggish.

At the cattle sales there were more customers than cattle at some of the sales, such is the demand for forward store cattle suitable for finishing within a month or two to benefit from the expected strong trade for scarce beef.

Mart managers are also reporting a steady stream of phone calls from farmers looking for cattle, while numbers on offer at the sales are continuing low as the trade builds continues to rebuild after the Christmas break.