Numbers were down by 500 for a yarding of 4540.

It was a plainer quality yarding with not the numbers of ideal trade cattle and heavy weight bullocks compared to previous sales. Cows were well supplied and there was a large influence of far western cattle throughout the yarding.

Consignments were sourced from Louth Cobar Bourke Wanaaring Coonamble Gulargambone Hay and the Broken Hill districts were responsible for four large consignments. Once again the number of local cattle was reasonably limited. Not all the regular buyers were operating in a variable market as most operators appear to be keen to secure numbers whilst keeping rates down.

Young cattle to the trade were firm to 4c dearer with prime vealers selling from 322c to 389c with the heavier steers over 330kg averaging 365c while the heavier heifer vealers averaged 363c/kg. Prime steer yearlings sold from 305c to 385c with the majority which were over 400kg averaging 331c/kg. The prime heifer yearlings sold from 285c to 368c with the medium weights averaging 334c/kg.

Despite the absence of a major northern feeder operator, young feeder cattle finished 2c to 5c dearer with the feeder steers selling from 305c to 385c with the large number over 400kg averaging 355c/kg. The feeder heifers sold from 306c to 378c/kg.

With the abundance of feed in most districts competition for the young steers going back to the paddock remains very strong with young steers selling from 335c for plainer quality calves to 485c/kg for good quality Angus calves. Young heifers to the restockers sold from 318c to 410c/kg.

Grown steers were firm for the lighter weights weighing 400kg to 500kg and 12c cheaper for the prime medium weights weighing 500kg to 600kg which sold from 270c to 322c to average 299c/kg. Export weight feeder steers were 6c dearer selling to 358c/kg. Grown heifers sold to323c with the lighter weights under 540kg averaging 298c/kg.

Cows were 2c to 4c cheaper with the 2 and 3 scores selling from 200c to 242c while the 4 score heavy weights which were the majority sold from 230c to 250c to average 241c/kg.

Heavy weight bulls were 6c cheaper with the bulls over 600kg selling from 230c to 268c to average 249c/kg. There were large numbers of young bulls in the yarding with the feedlotters purchasing a number paying from 240c to 310c while the restockers provided the most support paying from 270c to 356c/kg.