Cattle markets
Total saleyard throughput declined 12% week-on-week as reported at markets by MLA’s NLRS.
The decline was felt across the majority of saleyards, however Dubbo’s throughput lifted by 14%.
Gunnedah experienced the largest decline back 36% as cattle supply from the west reduced.
Wagga’s yarding eased by 23% due to wet weather and transport issues along with reductions at Forbes and Casino.
The remaining saleyards were steady on last week’s levels.
The decline in numbers together with pockets of supplementary and crop fed lines scattered throughout markets assisted in strong saleyard prices.
Quality was the main price driver across all categories as the plainer lines were still attracting lower prices.
Gunnedah had a good representation of grown steers while Dubbo saw increased completion for a larger penning of cows.
Wagga’s reduced yarding attracted increased completion with prices generally firm to slightly dearer especially for export cattle.
Forbes was rather mixed across all categories with plainer lines more suitable for feeder buyers being abundant.
The usual buyers we active across all markets and keen to secure cattle amongst the reduced supply.
Vealer steers to restockers generally sold to a dearer trend with limited interest from feeder buyers.
The majority of vealer heifers were sold to slaughter at slightly cheaper prices while restockers purchased the bulk of the light weight lines.
Restockers were very active on yearling steers across all weight categories while heifers were predominately sold to processors.
Grown steers were slightly dearer throughout the heavy weights while heifers were slightly easier. Medium and heavy weight cows generally sold firm to slightly dearer.
Prices remain firm
The majority of calves sold to restockers topping at 334¢ to average 230¢/kg.
Light D2 vealer steers returning to the paddock lifted 7¢ on 218¢ while the medium weight C2’s ranged in price from 190¢ to 258¢/kg.
Vealer C2 heifers to slaughter topped at 220¢ to average around 199¢ while heavy C3’s were cheaper settling on 212¢/kg.
Light C2 yearling steers to restock lifted slightly on 213¢ while the medium weights sold from 162¢ to 218¢/kg.
Competition between feeder buyers for medium weight C3’s eased as prices averaged 6¢ easier on 218¢ while the majority of C3 heavy weight lines sold to slaughter from 182¢ to 232¢/kg.
Light yearling C2 heifers to restock topped at 202¢ to make 187¢ while medium and heavy weight C3’s to processors strengthened averaging 206¢ and 194¢/kg respectively.
Light C2 grown steers to feedlot buyers were back 4¢ to average 184¢ while heavy C3 lines to process varied from 160¢ to 216¢ to settle on 199¢/kg.
Bullocks experienced considerable interest from process buyers with the bulk selling around 197¢ up 9¢/kg.
The majority of Light D2 heifers were firm on 136¢ with medium D3 cows remaining firm on 137¢ while the heavy portion settled on 144¢/kg.
Source: MLA.com