Young steers to the restockers bounce back lifting up to 30c/kg following the very tough market of the previous week.

Numbers remained fairly similar for a total of 5690. Once again cows and young cattle in store condition were the majority as the selloff due to the drought continues. There was a reasonable selection of well finished trade cattle along with a few pens of well finished grown steers most of which have had grain assistance. There was a limited selection of ideal feeder cattle as the overall quality of the yarding worsens. Not all the regular buyers were operating due to the lack of sufficient numbers to suit. There were some restockers missing though they were replaced by some fresh orders. Most of the regular processor operators were in attendance and operating.

NLRS advises young cattle to the trade were firm to 3c dearer with steer vealers selling to 304c and the prime steer yearlings selling from 256c to 297c while the heifer yearlings to the trade sold from 250c to 267c/kg.

The feeder market was erratic mainly due to the quality available. Feeder steers and heifers were mostly 10c to 15c cheaper with the exception of the heavier feeder steers and heifers which were a little dearer. The feeder steers sold from 220c to 294c with the lightweights weighing between 280kg and 330kg averaging 259c and the heavier steers weighing between 330kg and 400kg averaging 272c/kg. The feeder heifers sold from 200c to 266c with the lightweights averaging 219c and the medium weights 242c/kg.

Young steers and the lightweight heifers to the restockers were up to 30c dearer while the heavier heifers were cheaper due to the absence of a southern buyer who purchased large numbers in the previous sale. The young steers to the restockers sold from 165c to 291c with the large number of calves weighing between 200 and 280kg averaging 251c while the older steers to the restockers sold from 174c to 247c/kg. The young heifers going back to the paddock sold from 132c to 235c while the heifer yearlings to the restockers sold from 125c to 234c/kg.

The few grown steers were 6c dearer with very few to compare with in the previous sale. The prime medium weights sold from 239c to 278c/kg. Grown heifers sold to 264c which was cheaper mainly due to quality.

Lightweight cows to the processors were up to 14c cheaper while the better conditioned medium and heavy weights were 2c to 3c/kg cheaper. 2 score cows sold from 76c to 148c while the better 3 and 4 scores sold from 135c to 217c with the prime heavy weights averaging 201c/kg Plain conditioned cows to the restockers sold at similar rates selling from 57c to 136c/kg.

Bulls were 6c dearer with well-muscled heavy weight bulls in good condition selling from 200 to 258c to average 222c/kg. Two bulls sold to the restockers for 170c and 200c/kg.

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