The thing that has really worried most of us, in the primary production game, is the difference in price at “Farm Gate” and price at Supermarket level.
Even though we have had enquiries by the ACCC, into such staples as meat, fruit and vegetables, it seems that prices are still running at 3 times the inflation rate.
Within this investigation, there did not appear to be anything that was forcing these prices up. The huge disparity from gate to supermarket certainly has not been explained to us.

Maybe the argument that Australia has only the eleventh highest inflation rate for the year should make us feel better, or make sure we don’t move to those other ten countries.

The other stories, especially those in the fresh fruit game, who have been outspoken with major suppliers, and suffered huge downgrading of their product or lengthy settlement of their accounts, are fairly well known throughout the industry.

Without sounding too idealistic I don’t think any farmer expects more than a reasonable percentage of the profit all the way along the food chain. He is the one that has outlaid the money for the land, grown the produce and paid the wage and diesel bill. Maybe some of these enquiries could show a little bit more intestinal fortitude.

Great to see feeder prices starting to get up around some realistic value, but there is not a lot of assurance that the time span is going to be very long.
Once again, it is the supply and demand story where feeder calves are getting harder to source as mid winter approaches. The general thought is that we may get four to six weeks of reasonable prices but don’t hold your breath after that. So anyone with some handy calves still left in the paddock it is probably worth the enquiry.

As the bull sale season approaches, it is interesting to talk to a lot of the Commercial breeders about what they are looking for in their bulls now. The overriding factors are still the good basic points of sound structure, growth for age, feed conversion and bulls that are ready to go to work in Spring. We are very lucky with our local stud breeders, as the stock that they produce are quality bulls that are ready for business.

Regardless of all the performance credentials that are produced these days, and they are certainly a help in the selection process, the above practical features are still held as most important by our local cattlemen.