A larger number of heavy (over 520kg live) cows have been offloaded by producers this year, due to a combination of much higher cow prices and better seasonal conditions, Meat and Livestock Australia reports.

It says that in the calendar year to date, national cattle numbers at saleyards covered by the National Livestock Reporting Service were 4pc fewer compared to last year.

In Queensland, NSW and Victoria, between 8pc and 10pc fewer cows have been sold through the saleyards so far this year.

But SA numbers had the largest gain, with 41pc more cows sold than last year.

WA was the other state to have a rise in numbers, with 11pc more cows sold this year to date.

In contrast to a decline in light and medium cow sales, heavy cow throughput lifted 28pc, with every state recording an increase.

The overall proportion of heavy cows to total yardings has increased, with NSW having the largest shift.

In NSW, 40pc of the cows sold in the saleyards were heavy weights, up from 25pc in the calendar year to date in 2007.

In SA, this figure rose to 71pc and nationally, 46pc of all cows sold this year so far have been heavy weights.

There is potential for a shortfall in numbers, particularly in SA, over the coming year which could also have an effect on core breeding herds, with many producers already operating below full carrying capacities.

Processors have purchased the vast majority of heavy weights.

Comparatively, restockers purchased around 40pc fewer cows from the saleyards across all weights, but particularly for light weights.

This has mostly been due to the strength of processors at physical markets in looking to secure numbers.

Prices for prime heavy cows averaged 9pc higher so far this year despite the much larger offering.

At the completion of Thursday trading, heavy D4s averaged 148¢ and the national US cow indicator was 137¢ – 7¢/kg (live) below last week.