Yarding 4050 Change -85

Southern and northern processors put extra life into the cow market while the northern feedlotters compete strongly on suitable feeder cattle in a similar sized yarding.

Overall it was a much better quality yarding with some very well finished cattle in all sections coming off crops or grain in fact it would be the best quality yarding for some time. There was still however the expected numbers of plain yearlings and weaners all being sold due to the drought. Most of the cattle were sourced from local districts along with a consignment of well finished Santa Gertrudis bullocks from the Cobar district. There was also a consignment of very well finished four and six tooth grown heifers which had been fattened at a local registered feedlot.  Most of the regular buyers were operating along with the return of a southern restocker and the addition of a couple of extra northern restockers.

NLRS advises the young cattle to the trade were firm to 5c dearer with the prime steer yearlings selling from 260c to 310c while the prime heifer yearlings sold from 241c to 277c/kg.

Feeder steers were firm to 7c/kg dearer. The feeder heifers commenced the sale on a cheaper note but gained momentum as the sale progressed and as the quality of the cattle improved finishing 10c/kg dearer. The feeder steers sold from 249c to 307c with the medium weights averaging 285c and the heavy weights 296c//k. The feeder heifers sold from 218c to 279c with the light and medium weights averaging 246c and the heavy weights 276c/kg.

Lightweight calves to the restockers were cheaper while the heavier weights were 6c to 13c/kg dearer due to the extra competition from both southern and northern restockers. The restocker steers sold from 130c to 296c with the lightweight calves weighing less than 200kg averaging 237c while the heavier weight calves weighing between 200kg and 280kg averaged 251c/kg. The steer yearlings weighing between 200kg and 280kg averaged 254c/kg. The restocker heifers sold from 122c to 278c with the lightweights here averaging 233c while most of the heifer yearlings to the restockers averaged a similar price ranging from 225c to 233c /kg.

Grown steers were 10c cheaper with the prime medium and heavy weights selling from 250c to 311c with most averaging 290c/kg. Grown steers to the feeders sold from 258c to 298c while the restockers paid 242c for four tooth steers lacking condition. Grown heifers in contrast were 8c dearer with the better types selling from 280c to 309c with the heavy weights averaging 283c/kg. The restockers paid from 220c to 236c for grown heifers lacking condition while the feeders paid from 242c to 249c/kg.

Cows to the processors were 4c to 8c dearer with the 2 scores selling from 146c to 218c with the good number of cows weighing between 400kg and 520kg averaging 202c /kg. The better 3 and 4 score cows sold from 204c to 265c with the good numbers of prime heavy weights over 520kg averaging 250c/kg. Southern restockers were active on the younger lines of cows lacking condition paying from 80c for a very plain single to 222c for young Angus cows carrying a red PTIC tag. The feedlotters paid from 210c to 212c for young cows in forward condition.

There was some excellent high yielding bulls in the yarding which were up to 20c dearer due to quality. The properly finished heavy weight bulls sold from 205 to 285c to average 266c/kg. The feeders paid from 230c to 237c while the restockers paid from 200c to 206c for young bulls to grow out.

For full NLRS sale report click here