Australian Livestock Auction Action Improves

SYDNEY - Jan 13/06 - SNS -- Livestock sold through online auctions managed by AuctionsPlus Pty Ltd jumped during the past week as a major increase in sheep offerings was more than offset by falling cattle sales.

Throughput for the week totalled 20,276 sheep and lambs, up from 15,451 head the previous week, after falling the previous week. The number of cattle put through the company's auctions totalled 2,185, compared to 3,404 last week, after rising the previous week.

"This week throughputs began to return to a normal January trend after a very sluggish start last week," AuctionsPlus's Dean Lemmich said. "Markets are appearing to lack direction at present and in the case of cattle it's not surprising, given that the larger export plants have not opened up yet. Most should be going next week and the cow rate will give us an indication as to what the summer has in store."

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here