Market Report 18 February 2020

Cattle– 792

Number reduced slightly, again with good numbers of supplementary fed young cattle on offer. There was strong competition from the regular buying panel, with restocker and feeder orders competing for stock. Young cattle saw strong trends throughout the sale, while cows experience reduced competition. Limited light steer and heifer weaners attracted strong restocker interest, with price trends rising in the order of 25c/kg. Light yearling steers also sold to dearer trends, of up 30c/kg, from both restock and feeder competition. Medium weight yearling steers to feed gained up 10c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers to restockers were 9c/kg dearer. Medium weight yearling heifers to the trade were 13c/kg better. Grown steers sold to slightly dearer trends of 3c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to the trade made from 345c to 366c/kg. Light weight plain quality grown heifers back to the paddock sold to 324c, while heavy heifers to processors were up 30c/kg better. Cows lost ground from the previous market, with a decline in both quality and weight for the better types. Medium weight cows saw a reduction of 12c to 24c, while D3 cows experienced a fall of 18c/kg . Store cows retained value, making from 260c to 269c/kg. The best of the heavy bulls were firm to slightly dearer topping at 316c/kg.

Sheep

Yarding– 2044                             Lambs– 844                                 Sheep–  1200

Numbers reduced slightly to 844 lambs and 1,200 grown sheep. There were some good drafts of heavy lambs, however not up to the weight of two weeks ago. The market saw dearer trends throughout, however lack of weight and quality through the sheep offering saw cheaper trends in those categories. All the regular buyers attended. Light trade lambs sold to dearer trends of $14/head. Trade lambs also enjoyed dearer trends, up to $21/head better. Heavy lambs saw a rise of $19, however the weight in the extra heavy drafts was reduced to see a cheaper trend, selling to $248/head. Hoggets made to $160/head. Light and medium ewes saw a cheaper trend, restockers making to $111 and $90/head to the trade. Heavy Dorper ewes made to $156/head. The best wethers sold to $185/head. Merino rams sold to $140/head.