The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator shed 7.25 points in a single day yesterday as the post-Easter market encountered a sudden increase in supply.

EYCI-category cattle increased in number at every saleyard reported by the National Livestock Reporting Service yesterday, most notably Roma which yarded 9300 head, the largest single saleyard offering in Australia so far this year.

The large sale represented an increase of more than 6000 head on last week’s Easter-disrupted offering and resulted in more than $5.1m worth of store cattle changing hands, according to NLRS reporter Martin Bunyard.

EYCI-category cattle at Roma accounted for 2458 head, the NLRS’s official report said, and average prices for those cattle yesterday were 13c/kg back on the previous week.

The same trend was evident at all NLRS store sales reported yesterday, with numbers up and average prices down, resulting in the sudden single-day decrease of 7.25c in the EYCI to a close of 380c/kg yesterday afternoon.

The NLRS said yesterday’s large yarding at Roma was due to a combination of colder weather conditions and declining cattle prices motivating many livestock producers across the supply area to consign cattle to sale.

The NLRS report listed prices for light weight weaner steers as firm to 1c cheaper, light weight yearling heifers 2c dearer, medium weight yearling steers to feed 1c dearer and those to restocker buyers down 10c.

The media report listed feeder steers in the 400-550kg range as topping at 216c/kg and averaging 179c/kg, while steers in the 350-400kg range reached 216c/kg and averaged 191c/kg, and steers in the 280-350kg range reached 225c/kg and averaged 198c/kg.

Weaner steers in the 220-280kg range reached 236c/kg and averaged 212c/kg, while weaners under 220kg topped at 244c/kg and averaged 217c/kg.

Quoted lines from the sale included:

The Box family, Lancevale Station, Blackall, sold Santa-cross steers to 242c for 219kg to return $531/head. They also sold Santa-cross heifers to 214c for 212kg to make $455. 

Banchory Grazing, Dulacca Downs, Dulacca, sold Angus-cross steers to 236c for 263kg to return $621.

Kevin Bredhauer, Rosevale, Wyandra, sold Angus-cross steers to 230c for 252kg to make $580/head.

The Hancock family, Euraba, Mitchell, sold Brahman-cross steers to 230c and averaged 225c for 242kg to return $544. They also sold Charolais-cross heifers to 200c for 241kg to make $483.

The Adams family, Allo-Amber, Barcaldine, sold Angus-cross steers to 221c for 270kg to return $597.

Mark Tully, Ray Station, Quilpie, sold Santa steers to 214c for 280kg to make $600.

Leinster Pastoral Co, Mungallala, sold Santa steers to 210c for 278kg to return $585/head.

The Packer family, Cooreela, Roma, sold Angus steers to 206c for 408kg to return $841.

Homeward Properties, Beldeme, Roma, sold Hereford-cross steers to 206c for 379kg to make $782. They also sold Santa-cross heifers to 176c for 383kg to return $675.

Doobibla Cattle Co, Spring Creek, Wyandra, sold Charbray steers to 204c for 295kg to make $602/head.

The Bond family, Lancefield, Roma, sold Santa steers to 194c for 454kg to return $882/head.

The Cormack family, Crystalbook, Wallumbilla, sold Charolais-cross steers to 191c for 442kg to make $846/head.

Cattle Trax Co, Chesney, Injune, sold Droughtmaster steers to 191c for 440kg to return $841.

Seawright Investments, Reben Downs, Injune, sold Santa steers to 169c for 569kg to return $963.

Heifers in the 350-450kg range reached 196c and averaged 156c.

Heifers in the 280-350kg range topped at 198c/kg and averaged 165c/kg.

Heifers in the 220-280kg range topped at 218c/kg and averaged 189c/kg, while heifers under 220kg topped at 219c/kg and averaged 200c/kg.

The Cameron family, Nive Downs, Charleville, sold Angus heifers to 219c and averaged 205c for 227kg to return $466.

The Forge family, Myrrhee, Roma, sold Droughtmaster heifers to 187c and averaged 183c for 287kg to make $525.

The York family, Hyde Park, Wallumbilla, sold Simmental-cross EU heifers to 179c for 464kg to return $832.

Cows over 500kg hit 157c and averaged 134c, while cows 400-500kg topped at 148c and averaged 120c. Cows in the 300-400kg range made 133c and averaged 103c.

Kilburnie Cattle Co, Mt Margaret, Quilpie, sold Angus PTIC cows to $1050/head.

Cows and Calves sold to $1020/unit and averaged $731.

Bulls up to 400kg reached 240c to average 184c.