Market Report 12 June

Cattle-

Yarding– 1029

This week saw 723 less cattle and quality lifting to pen 1,029 head. There was a useful penning of weaners, along with good drafts of yearling steers and good supplies of well finished cows, although that category halved in number. Trends tended to the dearer side for most categories, with all processors present, as well as keen restocker interest and the usual feeder orders. Light steer weaners showed good improvements of up to 20c to restockers for backgrounding purposes, while heifer weaners increased 4c to 7c/kg for medium weights, again to restockers. A draft of heavier weight steer yearlings to feed saw those quality cattle sell to dearer trends of 26c, heavy weight steers improving 7c/kg, also to feed. Feeder heifers, too, saw dearer trends of 18c to 22c/kg. Grown steers sold to cheaper trends of 6c/kg, while the heifer portion saw dearer trends. Restockers stood off the light 1 and 2 score cows, these cheaper by 15c, while medium weight 1 and 2 score cows sold to local restockers, and the 3 scores averaged 173c/kg. The well finished 3 and 4 score cows saw dearer trends of 3c to 9c/kg. Bulls again sold to slightly cheaper trends, but with quality being a factor.

Sheep-

Yarding– 3005              Sheep– 1525              Lambs– 1480

There were 2,395 sheep and lambs less, 3,005 in total, consisting of 1,525 good quality lambs, with a good selection of grain assisted lambs available, as well as 1,480 prime grown sheep. All the regular gallery of buyers attended and operated. Lambs under 18kg showed dearer trends of $3 to $5/head with limited numbers available. Trade lambs saw dearer trends of $10, while heavy lambs were $10 to $16/head dearer. Grain assisted extra heavy lambs showed dearer trends of $15/head. Hoggets sold to $120/head. Light ewes sold to firm trends. Crossbred ewes also sold to firm trends on last sale, making to $165/head. Dorpers showed cheaper trends selling from $114 to $145, to be $20/head back on last day, however quality was a factor with the lesser sales. The best Merino wethers sold to $180, carrying a big skin, a $30/head gain on a fortnight ago. Other wethers also saw dearer trends.