Yarding 1428 Change -1634

File pic of Dalrymple Saleyards. Image: Charters Towers Regional Council

Numbers declined by more than 1600 for a yarding of 1428 cattle.

Quality was very mixed, with only a small selection of heavy bullocks, less than 250 prime cows and many smaller mixed lines of steers and heifers.

Only three regular processors were operating, with subdued demand throughout.

Regular feeders and opportunity coastal restockers operated selectively.

Cattle were drawn from Mt Isa to Georgetown and the local area.

Prices continued an easing trend for most categories, better quality lines of yearling steers and heifers eased 20c to 40c, prime bullocks and cows eased by 10c to 30c/kg, however medium and heavy bulls were firm to 10c dearer.

A reduced supply of young vealer steers returning to the paddock averaged 232 topping at 280c.

Vealer heifers met limited demand, selling at reduced rates. Heifers under 200kg averaged 160c, better quality heifers above 200kg sold to 210c to average 187c/kg.

Small lines of yearling steers above 280kg to backgrounders reached 238c, steers above 330kg averaged 223c/kg.

A limited supply of yearling heifers above. 330kg to feed made to 220c to average 214c/kg.

A mixed offering of grown steers to feed reached 240c to average 218c, best quality grown heifers to the trade sold to and averaged 220c/kg.

A limited supply of heavy bullocks to export slaughter met subdued demand, topping at 230.

Reduced processor demand saw medium weight 3 score cows sold to 194c to average 181c and a small number of single sale prime heavyweight cows topped at 195c to average 194c/kg.

Heavy bulls to feed destined for live export sold to 270c to average 251c/kg.

Market Reporter: Mick Kingham

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