AGAINST basic principles and popular thinking, some direct-consignment slaughter grids in Queensland and southern states have risen 10-20c/kg this week, illustrating the erratic nature of the market heading into Easter.
The general theory was that the succession of short killing weeks over April (plants in some areas will miss five working days in six weeks, with local show holidays thrown in) would curb processor demand for cattle for the timebeing.
April this year will see just 17 working days for many plant operators. Some said the upcoming Tuesday ANZAC Day holiday will be made worse,…
