Stock prices

Stock prices vary significantly depending on:
Availability of export (overseas and interstate) orders
Time of calving
Production per cow and availability of production history
‘Individual’ versus ‘whole of herd’ sale,
Sire of calf
Breed.

Traditionally, export orders for stock have a bigger impact on the price of cattle in WA than the price of milk. Due to the level of herd recording in the state, the use of AI sires, and disease-free status of stock, the export market for cattle has underpinned the price of dairy livestock. Export cattle provide and important income stream for some producers.

Higher prices are generally paid for Holstein-Friesians cows that are herd recorded as opposed to Jerseys or Jersey/Friesian cows. Spring calving cattle (Aug-Oct) for irrigation production systems are generally more difficult to source than cattle calving at other times of the year.

The importation of stock into the state from overseas is restricted due to the disease free status of the Australian herd for Foot and Mouth and Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis. Importation from interstate is also restricted due to the disease free status of the Western Australia herd for Enzootic Bovine Leucosis, Bovine Johnes Disease, Brucellosis, Liver Fluke and Tuberculosis.

Historically strong beef prices have resulted in the widespread use of beef sires over dairy heifers. However a weaker beef market and the increasing profitability of the dairy industry have resulted in the use of sexed dairy semen over dairy heifers.