Yarding 4550 Change -825

Large numbers of weaners and cows dominate numbers as people make the decision not to feed their cattle through what is shaping up to be another tough winter.

Numbers did drop back this sale though there was still a yarding of 4550. It was a mixed yarding with once again large numbers of weaners and cows along with some very well finished trade weight cattle which have had grain assistance.

Ideal feeder cattle were in limited supply in fact the number of ideal Angus steers to suit the feeders was very low. Properly finished grown steers were also in limited supply. The bulk of the cattle in the yarding were sourced from local districts with only odd consignments from the far west. Most of the regular buyers were operating including the return of a major export processor.

NLRS advises young cattle to the trade were 12c dearer mainly due to quality. The prime conditioned steer yearlings sold from 261c to 328c which was paid for an outstanding British bred steer while a top pen of Limousin steers which had been on feed for 80 days sold for 317c/kg. The prime heifer yearlings sold from 253c to 305c/kg.

Feeder steers were up to 30c cheaper with the much smaller number of ideal steers having a large effect on this result. The feeder heifers were 12c to 15c/kg cheaper. Feeder steers sold from 216c to 309c with the light and medium weights averaging 252c while the heavy weights over 400kg which were less affected in the price fall averaged 283c/kg. The feeder heifers sold from 199c to 246c with the light and medium weights averaging just 202c and 222c while the heavier weights averaged 243c/kg.

The large numbers of young cattle to the restockers continue to suffer with most of the buying support coming from southern and northern tableland buyers with next to no support from Queensland buyers. The market for the young cattle to the restockers did commence on a very cheap note though they did gain a little momentum as the sale progressed finishing 10c to 15c/kg cheaper. The young steers sold from 170c to 275c with the lightweight calves averaging 216c and the heavier weights weighing between 200kg and 280kg averaged 244c/kg. The young restocker heifers sold from 130c to 226c with the 200kg to 280kg calves averaging just 192c/kg.

The few grown steers were 2c dearer with the prime medium and heavy weights selling from 258c to 303c to average 297c/kg. Grown heifers were also a little dearer with the better types selling from 230c to 265c with the heavy weights over 540kg averaging 254c/kg.

Plain conditioned cows to the processors were 12c cheaper while the properly finished cows were firm to 2c dearer. 2 score cows sold from 100c to 164c to average 151c while the better 3 and 4 score cows sold from 140c to 233c with the prime heavy weights averaging 209c/kg. Cows to the restockers were 3c cheaper for the better conditioned cows while the plainer lighter cows were 12c/kg cheaper. Cows to the restockers sold from 116c to 177c/kg.

Bulls sold at fairly similar rates with the better heavy weights selling from 214c to 245c to average 223c/kg. Bulls to the restockers sold from 194c to 218c/kg.

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