As the drought continues to tighten its grip the numbers keep rolling in with the yarding lifting by 2000 for a total of 4815. This negates any thoughts that the numbers at this stage may be starting to get short. Once again there were large numbers of cows and young calves mostly lacking finish. There was though a better selection of well finished grown steers a number of which had been grain assisted. There were very limited numbers of properly finished trade cattle. Most of the normal buyers were operating though there were some store orders absent as they fill their requirements.

Feeder steers and grown steers were the highlights selling at dearer rates in what was otherwise a cheaper market. NLRS advises the few young cattle to the trade were close to firm with steer vealers selling from 266c to 310c and the prime heifer vealers selling from 270c to 297c/kg. The few prime steer yearlings to the trade sold from 268c to 300c while the prime heifer yearlings sold to 270c/kg.

Feeder steers were 6c to 10c dearer compared to the previous sales cheaper market while the feeder heifers were up to 14c cheaper compared to the previous sales very strong market. The feeder steers sold from 250c to 304c with the large number of heavier weights over 400kg averaging 281c while the lighter weights averaged 283c/kg. The feeder heifers sold from 240c to 270c with the lightweights averaging 265c/kg.

Young cattle to the restockers were 25c to 35c cheaper with the young steers selling from 205c to 278c with the large number less than 200kg averaging 258c while the young heifers to the restockers sold from 150c to 236c with the calves weighing between 200kg and 280kg averaging 220c/kg.

Grown steers were 10c dearer with the quality a factor and very few to compare to in the previous sale. The prime medium weights sold from 263c to 279c to average 267c/kg. Grown heifers were dearer for the lighter weights and cheaper for the heavier weights over 540kg. The better grown heifers sold from 210c to 238c to average around 228c/kg.

Most grades of cows to the processors were 3c to 7c cheaper with the 2 scores selling from 87c to 153c while the better 3 and 4 scores sold from 142 to 212c with the prime heavy weights averaging 196c/kg. Good numbers of plain conditioned cows to the restockers were 4c to 6c dearer selling from 60c to 138c/kg.

There was a better selection of well-muscled heavy weight bulls which sold at considerably dearer rates selling from 200c to 255c/kg. Young bulls to the restockers were cheaper selling from 160c to 230c/kg.

Source: NLRS, David Monk 

To view the full NLRS report for the CTLX April 24 sale click here