National saleyard  throughputs fell 33% this week as cooler temperatures and the changing season enticed producers to offload cattle prior to winter, according to MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service.

In Queensland yardings fell by 38% across the board, even taking into account the inclusion of the first Toowoomba sale in three weeks. 

Producers withholding stock due to rain in southern parts was a primary reason for the fall, with yardings at Roma and Longreach falling by 62% and 51% respectively.

Numbers held firm in some NSW markets where producers were looking to offload unfinished young cattle prior to winter, with yardings in the state falling by 25% overall for the week.

Cold weather conditions not favourable to livestock movement led to an easing in Victorian cattle yards of 41% and in South Australian yards by 26%.

The NLRS said buyer competition on young cattle had also changed in the approach to winter, with restocker interest waning with the return of colder temperatures.

Competition for trade cattle remained strong this week despite a fall in quality.  However, demand for trade cattle remains strong despite quality falling away.