Market Report 7 January 2020

Cattle– 1010

There was an increased penning for the first sale of 2020. Cows were in the majority, with the heavy weights seeing a dearer trend from last sale. Limited numbers of grain assisted young cattle were available, but also large numbers of plainer conditioned cattle. Only limited export processors were present and restockers were careful in their purchases, particularly with the plainer types. The few better bred early weaned calves saw a dearer trend, making from 122c to 258c/kg. Weaner steers and heifers sold to cheaper trends, with the lack of quality a factor, steers made from 237c to 245c and heifers sold from 108c to 198c/kg. Medium weights were back 17c and the heifers eased 7c/kg . Light cows to restock and feed saw a major reduction in competition, although the better bred and better conditioned cows made to 183c/kg. Medium weight cows saw a firm trend and the D3 heavy categories were up to 15c/kg better.

Sheep

Yarding– 2548                             Lambs–  625                                Sheep–  1923

This report compares to the sale of 10th December. There was no sale prior to Christmas. There were 625 lambs and 1923 grown sheep. All the regular buyers attended. Light trade lambs saw cheaper trends, up to $20/head. Trade lambs fared better, selling $7 to $14/head dearer. A lift in quality and weight saw heavy lambs sell to significantly dearer trends, selling to $225/head. Hoggets sold top $130/head. Grown sheep were cheaper, with light ewes being sold to restockers bound for a feed lot operation. Medium weights were cheaper, with heavy ewes selling to $150, as did the wether portion, also to $150/head. Crossbred rams made to $60/head.