NSW cattle markets, as reported by Meat and Livestock Australia’s NLRS, increased by 45 per cent week-on-week, for a total of 38,879 head.

The Monday sales all recorded large increases, with their next markets cancelled due to the holiday weekend.

Wagga penned 7,057 cattle, increasing 35 per cent week-on-week, as Tamworth and Forbes more than doubled in number at 2921 and 3083 head, respectively.

CTLX lifted 32 per cent, to 4600 head, with Gunnedah increasing to 4380 head.

The hunter markets both trended higher in number, as Scone more than doubled at 1845 head, while Singleton penned 1035 cattle.

The northern sales also lifted in number, with Inverell lifting 35 per cent, at 2783 head, while Armidale and Casino penned 1926 and 2637 head, respectively. Dubbo doubled its number to pen 6300 head of cattle.

Quality mixed on average

Quality on average over the state was mixed, with the younger yearling steers and heifers well supplied. There were 11,157 younger steers marketed, the bulk falling into the yearling categories, with 9004 younger heifers offered, again with most being yearlings. Grown steers throughout all weight ranges totalled 2410 head, as cows again made up the majority of the grown cattle, to total 6022 head. 

Prices trend lower

Medium weight vealer steers returned to the paddock sold 6c cheaper to average 247c, after topping at 289c /kg. Lot feeders and restockers purchased the bulk of the yearling steers, as the lighter weights trended cheaper, while the sought after medium and heavy weights continued to sell at premium prices to remain firm. The medium weights averaged 244c, after reaching 267c, with the heavier drafts topping at 268¢, with the majority around the 247c /kg range. The yearling heifers trended 3c to 5c/kg cheaper. Well-finished younger cattle to the trade continue to sell well, however averaged marginally cheaper week-on-week.

The grown steers suitable for slaughter averaged 2c either side of firm, with the best topping at 249c, as the bulk sold around the 223c to 227c /kg range. Cows trended 9c to 15c cheaper, as the plainer 2 scores averaged 170c/kg. The better covered 3 and 4 scores ranged from 160c to 225c/kg. Heavy weight bulls continue to sell at a premium, for an average of 211c to 234c, with the best muscled heavy weight reaching 257c/kg.