Market Report 16 October

Cattle-

Yarding– 605

While there was limited rain through the district, numbers decrease by 218 head to offer a penning that was dominated by plain quality young cattle. There were limited pens of grain assisted yearling cattle and a small offering of heavy cows. The market saw strong competition from local restockers, particularly for the young heifer portion. All the regular buyers attended and operated. Lack of condition and numbers saw only slightly dearer trends for light weight steers, while the heifer portion saw increasing trends of 15c to 17c/kg, most going to restocker competition. Again, limited numbers and quality saw yearling steers sell to decreasing trends of 9c to 20c/kg, with the heavier cattle going to feeders. Conversely, restockers pushed yearling heifers to dearer trends of 5c to 18c, with feeders receiving dearer trends of 10c/kg. There were no numbers of grown steers or heifers to quote. Light weight 1 and 2 score cows saw a minor increase of 5c/kg. Medium 2 score cows sold 6c dearer, while heavy cows saw dearer trends of 7c to 10c/kg. A limited number of bulls saw cheaper trends.

Sheep-

Yarding– 1688                Lambs– 1263                  Sheep–425

There was a slight reduction in numbers for this fortnight. The lamb penning improved in both weight and quality, seeing a dearer trend throughout, including the limited yarding of grown sheep. All the regular buyers attended, along with an extra lamb buyer, adding to the overall better market. Light lambs improved $4 to $12, along with trade lambs, which saw improved trends of $5 to $20/head. Heavy trade lambs saw dearer trends of up to $20/head. Well finished lambs also sold to improved trends. Heavy lambs saw a lift in values, increasing $15/head. Hoggets saw a rise of $10/head. Medium weight ewes increased by $10/head, although a weight variation in the heavy crossbred ewe offering saw a slightly cheaper trend. There were no wethers penned.