Numbers lifted by 1000 for a yarding of 3890.

It was a mixed yarding with some top lines of well finished young cattle and grown steers and cows most of which have been fattened on failed crops or have had grain assistance.

There were also a good percentage of cows in plain condition with young calves lacking finish which were showing the effects of the dry conditions. Included in the yarding was a line of 100 Angus cows in plain condition with calves at foot along with a large line of 175 Angus cows in prime condition off crops also with young calves at foot. Young cattle to suit the feeders were also well supplied.

Not all the regular export buyers were operating though they were replaced by two additional orders. Southern restocker support was minimal though there was solid support from New England restockers and there was good support coming from Queensland feeder operators following their recent falls of rain.

MLA advises young cattle to the trade were 7c dearer with prime steer vealers selling from 268c to 290c while the prime heifer vealers sold from 300c to 330c/kg. Prime steer yearlings to the trade sold from 268c to 297c with the heavy weights averaging 286c while the prime heifer yearlings sold from 260c to 286c to average 271c/kg.

Young feeder cattle were 9c to 11c dearer with the feeder steers selling from 260c to 312c with the large number of heavy eights over 400kg averaging 288c while the feeder heifers sold from 248c to 294c/kg.

With around 25mm of local rain last weekend and substantially better falls further afield restocker interest has shown a dramatic increase. Young restocker cattle were considerably dearer with young steers selling from 284c to 470c/kg. Bobby calves to the restockers sold from 315c to 510c and most of the New England restocker support was for yearlings with the steer yearlings going back to the paddock selling from 286c to 351c/kg. Restocker heifer yearlings sold from 252c to 298c/kg.

Grown steers were firm for the medium weights and 8c dearer for the heavy weights with the prime medium and heavy weights selling from 240c to 287c with the medium weights weighing between 500kg and 600kg averaging 275c while the heavy weights over 600kg also averaged 275c/kg. Export weight feeder steers sold from252c to 292c/kg. Good numbers of grown heifers were 14c dearer with the properly finished heifers selling from 238c to 275c to average 272c/kg.

Plainer conditioned cows to the processors were up to 13c dearer while the properly finished cows were 5c/kg dearer. 2 score cows to the processors sold from 130c to 211c/kg. The better selection of cows suitable for the restockers were considerably dearer with the cows going back to the paddock selling from 140c for a very light cow to  243c/kg for cows coming up on their second and third calf. The better 3 and 4 score cows to the processors sold from 213c to 235c with the prime heavy weights averaging 224c/kg. An outstanding pen of C muscle Charolais cows sold for 240c/kg.

Bulls were 5c cheaper with the better muscled heavy weights selling from 240c to 264c while the plainer quality heavy weights sold from 220c to 247c/kg. The restockers paid to 243c for young bulls.