Yarding 1800  Change -1810

Despite the absence of one major northern feeder operator competition for both feeder steers and heifers continues to remain very strong with most grades of the feeders selling at dearer rates in the smaller yardings at most major centres.

Following between 10mm and 20mm of rain in most districts numbers halved for a yarding of 1800. It was a fair quality yarding with good numbers of cows along with a few pens of well finished grown steers and heifers though the steer and heifer quality were not to the standard of the previous sale. There was a pretty good selection of young feeder cattle along with good numbers of young cattle in store condition and there were a few lots of prime young cattle bought by the trade buyers. Most of the regular buyers were in attendance and operating with the exception of the northern feeder operator.

NLRS advises the young cattle to the trade were dearer with the prime steer yearlings selling from 306c to 314c while the prime heifer yearlings sold from 253c to $298c/kg.

Feeder cattle were 15c to 20c dearer with the feeder steers selling from 244c to 330c with the large number of medium weights weighing between 330kg and 400kg averaging 305c while the heavy weights averaged 311c/kg. The feeder heifers sold from 229c to 295c with the medium weights averaging 281c and the heavy weights 287c /kg.

Following the rain young restocker cattle were 30c dearer and more in places. Restocker steers sold from 250c to 324c with the calves under 200kg averaging 300c and the heavier weights weighing between 200kg and 280kg averaging 289c/kg. The restocker heifers sold from 148c to 276c with the lightweights averaging 261c/kg.

Grown steers were 3c cheaper mainly due to quality with the prime medium weights selling from 290c to 298c to average 296c/kg. Grown steers to the feeder sold from 266c to 330c/kg. Grown heifers were 6c cheaper which was also due to quality and the better types sold from 232c to 270c/kg. Grown heifers to the feeders sold from 228c to 269c while the restockers paid from 200c to 245c for suitable grown heifers.

  Plain conditioned cows were 5c dearer while the better finished cows were 2c to 7c/kg cheaper. A large reason for the fluctuations was quality related. 2 score cows sold from 112c to 201c with the few lightweights less than 400kg averaging 149c while those 2 scores over 400kg averaged 183c/kg. The better 3 and 4 score cows sold from 185c to 233c with the prime heavy weights averaging 226c/kg.

Bulls were cheaper with the better heavy weight bulls selling from 213c to 245c/kg. The restockers paid from 156c to 216c for young bulls while the feeders paid from 208c to 242c for suitable young bulls to feed.

To view full NLRS report click here