Yarding 5170 Change 300

The search for weight from both processors and feeders continues as operators struggle to fill requirements with once again a saturation of young weaners.

Numbers were up by 300 for a yarding of 5170 as the selloff due to the season continues. Once again there were large numbers of cows and young cattle lacking finish. Trade cattle were in limited supply and the feeder quality was not to the standard of the previous sale. There were a few pens of very well finished grown steers yarded which were all grain assisted. The bulk of the cattle were sourced from local areas along with some large consignments from the Coonamble district. There were also a fair number of cattle from the Merriwa district. All the regular buyers were in attendance and operating including some additional restocker support for the large numbers of weaner cattle throughout the yarding.

NLRS advises the few properly finished trade cattle were 5c dearer with prime steer yearlings selling from 290c to 312c while some B muscle heifer yearlings sold to 317c/kg. The balance of the heifer yearlings to the trade buyers sold from 265c to 301c/kg.

The bulk of the feeders were up to 12c cheaper with quality a factor. The exception was the medium weight feeders weighing between 330kg and 400kg which were firm to a little dearer. The feeder steers sold from 248c to 338c with the medium and heavy weights averaging 302c/kg. The feeder heifers sold from 220c to 301c to average 280c/kg.

Young cattle to the restockers were firm to 4c dearer with a couple of fresh orders in place. Large numbers of young steers to the restockers sold from 166c to 260c with the lightweights less than 200kg averaging 216c while the heavier weights weighing between 200kg and 280kg averaging 235c/kg. The young heifers to the restockers sold from 110c to 216c with the lightweights averaging 180c and the heavier weights 204c/kg.

Grown steers were 13c dearer with few to compare to in the previous sale. The prime medium and heavy weights sold from 269c to 310c with the steers weighing between 600kg and 750kg averaging 307c/kg. Grown steers to the feeders sold from 229c to 302c/kg. Grown heifers were 15c dearer with the better types selling from 240c to 293c with the heavier weights averaging 278c/kg.

Plain conditioned cows to the processors were 13c cheaper following the strong result in the previous sale. In contrast the better finished cows were 9c to 14c/kg dearer with solid support coming from both northern and southern processors. 2 score cows to the processors sold from 126c to 202c with the large number weighing between 400kg and 520kg averaging 166c/kg. The better 3and 4 score cows sold from 185c to 258c with the prime heavy weights averaging 247c/kg. The very plain lightweight cows to the restockers were cheaper while the better heavier weights were considerably dearer. Cows to the restockers sold from 60c to 189c/kg.

Bulls were firm to dearer with the better muscled heavy weights selling from 220c to 256c/kg. Young bulls to the restockers sold from156c to 206c/kg.