Market Report 29 October 2019

Cattle– 1657

The yarding increased by over 800 for a total of 1,657 head. Yearlings and cows made up the largest percentage of the yarding, however as the dry weather continues producers have decided to sell there calves resulting in a large number of light calves through the sale. Quality of the young cattle varied considerably with a few pens of well finished supplementary fed yearlings offered, however there was a large percentage of plain conditioned yearlings through the sale, although they were mainly were well bred cattle. There was a good line up of buyers keen to fill orders, resulting in a strong market, with restocker weaner steers selling to 278c, while back ground and feeder steers sold firm to slightly dearer ranging from 258c to 284c/kg. The odd heavy trade yearling steer sold to a top of 301c/kg. Yearling heifers were 8c to 9c dearer with feeder heifers selling to a top of 276c and trade heifers to 290c/kg. The yarding of export cattle consisted mainly of cows, along with a few grown steers and a fair penning of heifers. Grown steers sold to a top of 336c for young steers, while heifers reached a top of 300c/kg. The cow market met keen competition from restockers and processors, with 1 and 2 score feeder cows selling from 159c to 230c/kg. Medium weight 3 score cows to process averaged 221c, while heavy cows sold to a top of 278c/kg. Best of the heavy bulls topped at 278c/kg.

Sheep

Yarding– 2509                              Lambs–  919                                Sheep– 1590

There was a yarding of 2,509 head of sheep for the fortnightly sale, of which there was just over 900 lambs sold. The supply of lambs consisted predominately of trade weights and a fair penning of light lambs, while there was a limited supply of heavy lambs. Competition was strong with heavy lambs selling to a top of $233, and trade weights sold to $198/head. Restockers and feeders were active in the market helping to push prices up for the light weight lambs. The yarding of mutton consisted of a good supply of both wethers and ewes, with a fair percentage of sheep carrying a good skin. Heavy ewes sold to a top of $150 and wethers to $140/head.