Numbers were down by 1000 compared to the previous weeks larger sale for a yarding of 2355.

It was a mixed yarding with a pretty good selection of prime cattle fattened on crops or grain assisted.

There were though a larger percentage of plainer cattle than previous sales. The bulk of the cattle were sourced from local districts including the Coonamble and Dunedoo areas and as far west as Warren in the Macquarie valley.

Not all the buyers were present with the absence once again of both northern and southern feedlot operators.

Young cattle to the trade were firm with steer vealers selling from 385c to 400c/kg for an exceptional high yielding Belgium Blue cross calf. The prime heifer vealers to the trade sold from 369c to 396c with the heavier weight calves over 330kg averaging 385c/kg. Prime steer yearlings sold from 330c to 390c with the heavy weights over 400kg averaging 370c/kg. The prime heifer yearlings sold from 316c to 388c/kg.

Despite the absence of some regular operators feeder steers were firm to 4c dearer with the tighter supply holding the market up. The feeder steers sold from 300c to 393c with the heavier weights over 400kg averaging 378c/kg. In contrast the feeder heifers were cheaper selling from 345c to 364c/kg.

Due to the excellent seasonal conditions and the guarantee of a good spring the restocker demand remained very strong with the young steers to the restockers selling at 25c/kg dearer rates. Young steers going back to the paddock sold from 360c to 479c/kg for good quality Angus calves. Young heifers to the restockers sold to 402c/kg.

Grown steers were firm to 2c dearer with the prime medium and heavy weights selling from 300c to 368c with the majority which weighed between 500kg and 600kg averaging 347c/kg. Limited numbers of export weight steers going to the feedlotters sold to 385c/kg. A line of milk and two tooth Angus steers in store condition sold to the restockers for 399c/kg. Grown heiferswere dearer with the prime conditioned heifers over 540kg selling from 290c to 365c to average 327c/kg.

Due to the excellent season the bulk of the cows are presenting in top condition. The few plainer conditioned cows were 5c dearer while the properly finished cows were 2c/kg dearer. 2 score cows sold from 180c to 251c while the better 3 and 4 scores sold from 238c to 298c which was paid for C muscle cows. The properly finished 4 score heavy weight cows averaged 276c/kg.

Bulls were 7c dearer with the properly muscled heavy weights over 600kg selling from 253c to 292c to average 280c/kg. Young lightweight bulls sold to 374c to the restockers.