Australian
feedlots have hit a new high with the industry now reaching a record capacity
of 1.13 million head according to the latest ALFA/MLA quarterly feedlot survey.
This represents a 10 percent increase in the last 12 months and a rise of three
percent in the last quarter. At the end of June there were 940,000 cattle on
feed which was five percent higher than March and seven percent higher than
June 2005.
A
huge 2.59 million head were turned off by feedlots in the 2005/06 fiscal year
which is up by five percent on the record set in the previous year. To put this
in perspective the feedlot industry now accounts for 34 percent of the total
adult cattle slaughter (including cull cows).
The
feedlot industry was critical in satisfying the increased demand from Japan and
Korea following the exclusion of USA from these markets in 2003. Feedlots also
play a key role in allowing the production of high quality beef to our domestic
market 365 days per year regardless of seasonal conditions.
As
we are currently experiencing, the feedlot industry also plays a major role in
maintaining cattle prices at a high level when a large proportion of Australia
is in drought.
There
is considerable concern that the development of large ethanol production plants
will increase the price of grain and make lot feeding less viable. The large
Rockdale feedlot near Yanco in NSW has recently announced the development of an
ethanol plant next door to the feedlot. The Rockdale feedlot will use all of
the by-products of the ethanol plant. However, 25 kg of corn used to produce
10.3 litres of ethanol will produce only 7.5 kg of dried distillers grain so
the process does not return 100 percent of the grain back as feed. If grains
such as corn are used to produce ethanol then alternative feeds will need to be
sourced by feedlots.
Another
fuel source for ethanol is the manure from feedlots. Hereford in Texas, USA
will have two ethanol plants within the next 18 months. One plant will use
manure from the 800,000 cattle on feed in that area as the fuel source.
Maybe
feedlots can co-exist with the ethanol industry.
Females
topped at $6,000 and bulls at $4,250 in the inaugural Birubi Limousin, Angus
and Lim-flex sale at Borambola near Wagga Wagga on Tuesday. Top priced cow was
Birubi Master Touch, a seven-year-old apricot cow with a 9-month-old bull calf
at foot. The former Sydney Junior Champion was purchased by Peter Behsman of Huntly
Limousins at Deniliquin.
Tight
seasonal conditions restricted demand for bulls with 12 Limousin bulls selling
to a top of $4,250 and an average of $2,729, six Angus bulls selling to a top
of $2,750 and an average of $2,400 and four Lim-flex bulls selling to a top of
$3,250 and an average of $2,313.
Demand
was strong for yearling heifers with six Limousin heifers topping at $2,400 and
averaging $1,800, six Angus heifers topping at $1,600 for an average of $1,216
and four Lim-flex heifers topping at $1,500 for an average of $1,125. Fourteen
PTIC "Z" Lim-flex heifers sold to commercial breeders for an average
of $825.
In
the commercial section of the sale 66 Angus heifers with young calves at foot
averaged $1,012 topping at $1,020 and 15 Angus heifers close to calving sold
for $800. The sale grossed $175,800.
The
sire of quite a few calves being sent in for registration or recording do not
have a DNA type on file. The Board have allowed an amnesty on the requirement
to have sires DNA typed until 1st January 2007. Our Registrar Alison
Stewart is notifying members of those animals whose sires do not have a DNA
type on file. Even after 1st January there will need to be some
exemptions for very old AI sires which do not have an owner assigned but all
current AI sires and naturally mated sires will need to have a DNA type on file
for calves to be registered. DNA types can be derived from hair taken from the
switch of the tail. Kits are available for collection of hair samples from the
ALBS office.
1st September: Glenview Western Bull Sale, Roma, Qld (catalogue on the web).
2nd September: 16th Annual
Hunter Valley Limousin Sale, Singleton, NSW (catalogue on the web).
7th September: AgShow Limousin Bull Sale,
Toowoomba, Qld (catalogue on the web).
9th September: Southern NSW Limousin
Breeders' Sale, Moss Vale, NSW (catalogue on the web).
26th September: QTL Tramahler Bull Sale, Rockhampton, Qld (catalogue on the web).
29th
September: Stevens Limousins Female and
Bull Sale, Birriwa, NSW (catalogue on the web).
27th
October: Fernlea Complete Female
Dispersal, Warragul, Vic.
24th
November: Classic Limousin Female Sale,
Culcairn, NSW.
29th
January 2007: Premier and Partners in
Progress Production Sale, NSW.
21st
February 2007: Mandayen 2nd Limousin Performance Sale, Furner, SA.
23rd
February 2007: White Lakes Limousin & Angus Bull & Female Sale,
Brunswick, WA.
1st
March 2007: Donna Valley Annual Bull Sale, Holbrook, NSW.
Yours in Limousin
Alex McDonald