The numbers jumped again this week as the continuing dry conditions and colder nights leave producers unsettled and eager to offload.

A large percentage of the yarding were last year’s autumn and spring drop heifer calves along with a clean out of 2 to 4 tooth heifers and 1345 cows.

Unfortunately the outturn brought about a softening cow market of 20c to 30c/kg.

Heavy bullocks were scarce, with the majority of the medium and heavy grown steers going to feedlotters.

The bright light was on the straight breed heavier larger lines of Angus steers which remained competitive amongst the feedlotters. The vealers made from 262c to 370c/kg. The majority of the yearling steers made from 290c to a top of 380c/kg. The heifer portion had a variety of weights, with the bulk of the young females being in the 250c to 360c/kg The yearling heifers to feedlotters ranged from 275c to 339c/kg.

The strongest competition of the day was on the 0 to 2 tooth straight black 400 to 500kg cattle that consistantly made from 350c to 382c/kg and went back to the feedlots. The 500 to 600kg steers made from 302c to 376c/kg, finished steers to the trade were scarce with the better end making from 290c to 322c/kg. The 600kg plus bullocks made from 280c to 314c/kg. The beef cows had a mix of store cows and finished types. The bulk of the heavy cows made from 198c to 238c/kg. The lighter weighted store cows made from 154c to 195c/kg.

Market reporter: Leanne Dax