FIRST signs emerged this week that the labour crisis afflicting beef processing operations is having direct impact on cattle prices – for both slaughter and feeder types.
Some Queensland and southern grids have slipped as much as 30c/kg on slaughter cattle this week, on top of earlier hefty drops.
Quotes from competitive Queensland processors obtained this morning have 580-595c/kg on four-tooth heavy grass steer with HGP, and 510-530c/kg on heavy cows. Some of those quotes are back 10c in a week, while others are as much as 30c down, depending on positions the week before.
Central…