Consignments continue to increase
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The dearer price trends, coupled with some markets cancelled next week due to the Easter break, caused numbers to lift 27% week-on-week at MLA’s NLRS reported markets.
Useful follow-up rainfall around the Wagga supply area kept its numbers on the small side, however still lifted 16% for a total of 2,750 head.
Forbes lifted 35% and Tamworth gained 12%, while CTLX lifted 31% to yard 2,292, in total. Gunnedah nearly doubled its numbers, albeit from a low base the previous week. The Hunter markets trended differently, as Scone slipped 19%, while Singleton lifted 25% for 1000 head, however this market is affected by the Easter break next week. The northern markets of Casino, Armidale and Inverell all trended higher, as Inverell gained 45%, while Casino nearly doubled and Armidale lifted 31% week-on-week.
Dubbo also affected by the Easter break, lifted its consignments by 16% to pen 3300 cattle.
Quality remains mixed
The majority of markets reported mixed quality cattle, as numbers of prime conditioned pens were also offered. There were the usual high percentages of unfinished cattle suitable for the restockers and lot feeders also penned.
The younger steers totalled 5,773, up 22% week-on-week, as the heifer portion also lifted in number, to offer 4876 head. Grown steers remained limited in number, as percentages are consigned direct to works. Cow numbers lifted by 36% for a yarding of 4,728 in total.
Competition remains strong
The continuing rainfall and improved seasonal conditions again caused competition to strengthen across all categories. The younger vealer steers returning to the paddock lifted on average 4¢ to 6¢, as the similar weighted heifer portion gained 10¢/kg. Prime conditioned vealers to the butchers also trended dearer, as prices reached 239¢/kg. Yearling steers to the lot feeders gained 4¢, as the medium weights averaged 198¢ after topping at 217¢/kg. The equivalent weight heifer portion gained 10¢, as yearlings suitable for the trade and butcher sold to strong competition. Heavy weight grown steers to slaughter sold 3¢ either side of firm, as younger pens topped at 211¢/kg. Cows continued to lift, as prices gained another 3¢ to 7¢/kg. The plainer D2 cows averaged 125¢, as the better covered 3 and 4 scores ranged from 115¢ to 168¢/kg. Heavy weight bulls trended dearer, as the best reached 198¢/kg.