With rain recorded throughout the state, cattle consignments slipped 20 per cent, at MLA’s NLRS reported markets this week, to total 20,031 head.

Wagga went against the trend and lifted 8 per cent, with 3800 head yarded, while Tamworth and Forbes penned similar numbers, at 1618 head and 1851 head, respectively. CTLX halved its consignments, at 1380 head, and Gunnedah slipped 44 per cent, to offer 1725 head.

The Hunter market of Scone decreased 30 per cent, at 1201 head, and Singleton slipped 8 per cent, to 830 head. The northern markets of Armidale and Inverell lost 25 per cent, for a total of 849 head and 1195 head, respectively, while Casino sold similar numbers to last week, at 974 head. Dubbo decreased 26 per cent, with a penning of 4200 head.

Quality remains mixed

Tamworth offered large numbers of cows, with yearlings also well supplied. Yearlings suitable for the trade were in shorter supply at Wagga, with grown steers and bullocks also decreasing in number. Yearlings at Forbes made up the bulk of the penning, with a large percentage of secondary cattle.

CTLX yarded a small offering of cows compared to the last market, while Gunnedah offered small numbers of grown steers with limited opportunities for the trade and butchers in the competition. The bulk penned at Scone and Singleton fell into the younger categories, with the majority suited for the restocker orders. Dubbo penned a good supply of prime-conditioned cattle in all categories, along with a good percentage of cattle lacking finish. 

Prices trend higher

Rain, although disappointing in most regions, produced dearer trends throughout most categories. Medium weight vealer steers and heifers to the trade and restockers trended 3c to 10c/kg dearer, with the steer portion averaging 192c and reaching 227c/kg. The light and medium weight yearling steers trended 5c to 7c dearer, while the heavier weights maintained firm prices week-on-week. The yearling heifers across most weight ranges also lifted 4c to 10c/kg.

Heavy weight grown steers suitable for slaughter remained firm, with the best younger pens reaching 186c/kg. The cows sold at equal prices week-on-week, with the plainer 2 scores averaging 123c/kg. The better finished 3 and 4 scores ranged from 110c to 162c/kg.  Heavy weight bulls topped at 218c, averaging 3c to 4c/kg cheaper compared to last week’s markets.