Cattle consignments lifted by 14 per cent, at MLA’s NLRS markets this week, to total 27,075 head. Wagga increased by 23 per cent, for a total of 4855 head, while Tamworth slipped 7 per cent, with some good rain recorded around the supply area. Forbes added an extra 17 per cent, to offer 2416 cattle, while CTLX gained 24 per cent, for a total of 3450 head.

Gunnedah and Scone went against the higher trend and slipped by 3 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively, as the Hunter market of Singleton added an extra 26 per cent, for a total of 855 head.

The northern market of Armidale doubled its number for 1175 head, due to this being the last market at this centre for 2014. Inverell gained 12 per cent, at 1345 cattle, with Casino maintaining equal consignments for 1058 head. Dubbo continued to pen large numbers at 6040 head.

Quality overall remains mixed

At Wagga, there were increased numbers of yearling steers and heifers suitable for the trade, along with a moderate increase in heavy grown steers and bullocks.  Yearlings made up the bulk offered at Forbes, together with a handy penning of cows. Tamworth offered a number of pens of very good quality vealers, yearlings and cows, while CTLX yarded a good supply of cattle in forward condition. Cow numbers doubled at Inverell, with Gunnedah penning a limited supply of grown steers and heifers. Dubbo offered prime-conditioned cattle in all categories, together with numbers of plainer cattle consigned from the far west.

Prices trend higher

The vealer steers trended 8¢ higher, as prices to the restockers ranged from 173¢ to 245¢, with the heavier prime-conditioned pens to the butchers topping at 217¢/kg. The heifer portion to the restockers trended 14¢ dearer, as the prime-conditioned pens to the butchers topped at 218¢/kg. The yearling steers lifted 3¢ to 6¢, with the medium weights to restockers and lot feeders averaging from 201¢ to 205¢, after reaching 220¢/kg. Prime-conditioned heavy weights to butchers maintained firm prices and averaged 191¢, with the best reaching 218¢/kg. The yearling heifers across most weight ranges lifted 5¢ to 10¢/kg. Heavy weight grown steers suitable for slaughter gained from 2¢ to 5¢, as the best topped at 207¢/kg. Cows sold 3¢ dearer, as the plainer 2 scores averaged 139¢/kg. The better covered 3 and 4 scores ranged from 134¢ to 182¢/kg. Heavy weight bulls topped at 216¢/kg.