Cattle consignments decreased by 34 per cent this week at MLA’s NLRS reported markets, to total 21,639 head.
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Wagga lost 20 per cent, to pen 4540 head, as Forbes and Tamworth yarded 1810 and 1949 head, respectively.
CTLX yarded a small total of 760 cattle, with Gunnedah slipping by 36 per cent, for a yarding of 2560 head. The Hunter markets of Scone and Singleton trended differently, as Scone yarded much the same, while Singleton lost 21 per cent, for around 780 penned. The northern market of Armidale slipped 17 per cent, for a total of 711 cattle, while Inverell decreased by 39 per cent, for 1382 head. Casino sold 1153 cattle, down 5 per cent, week-on-week, while Dubbo nearly halved its consignments, for a total of 3990 head.
Quality overall remains mixed
There was a generally plainer quality offered, as the dryer conditions start to affect finish. There were well-finished cattle spread throughout the majority of markets. There was 5748 younger steers sold, back 32 per cent week-on-week, while younger heifer numbers were down to 5818 head. Prime-conditioned grown steers suitable for slaughter totalled 508 head and there were 3826 cows sold, back 38 per centon the previous sale.
Prices stabilise for younger cattle
The younger cattle sold 2c to 3c/kg either side of firm, as the better finished pens attracted the better of the lot feeder competition. The medium weight vealer steers, returned to the paddock, and averaged 186c, after reaching 217c/kg.
The equivalent weighted heifer portion to the processor and restocker orders topped at 198c, with the majority around the 164c to 174c/kg range. The medium weight yearling steers to the lot feeders slipped 7c, as the better finished C3 pens lifted 6c/kg. The heifer portion trended 2c/kg cheaper through most weight ranges. The well-finished younger cattle to butchers sold close to firm.
Heavy weight grown steers suitable for slaughter lost 2c to 10c/kg. Cows continued the cheaper export trends, as the majority lost around 2c/kg. The better covered 3 and 4 score cows ranged from 122c to 177c/kg. Heavy weight bulls again sold to strong processor competition, with the well-muscled pens averaging 206c after reaching 227c/kg.
