Due to severe storms and substantial rain recorded throughout NSW, cattle numbers slipped by 44 per cent week-on-week, for a total of 16,163 head.

Wagga slipped 27 per cent, as Forbes and Tamworth lost 19 per cent and 33 per cent, to pen 3500, 1644 and 1491 head, respectively. CTLX lost 36 per cent, at 2400 cattle, as Gunnedah nearly halved its consignments and offered 1130 head. Inverell penned similar numbers at 1033 head, while Armidale and Casino yarded 1462 and 1980 cattle, respectively. Supply at Scone fell by more than half, to 625 head, while Singleton was cancelled due to flooding around the supply area. Dubbo slipped 62 per cent and yarded 2320 head.

Prices rise

Medium weight vealer steers to the restocker orders lifted 7c, making from 204c to 273c, for an average of 248c/kg. The equivalent weighted heifer portion, to all orders improved from 7c to 10c, ranging from 194c to 235c/kg.

The medium weight yearling steers to the lot feeder and restocker orders trended 9c dearer, with the heavier drafts lifting 11c, and returned from 233c to 284c/kg. The yearling heifers to restockers and lot feeder orders trended 4c to 6c/kg dearer. Prime conditioned younger cattle to butchers trended 3c to 8c dearer, with prices reaching 270c/kg.

Heavy weight grown steers suitable for slaughter lifted 2c to 6c, with the best reaching 270c, as the average sat around the 233c to 253c/kg range.

Cows sold 7c to 10c dearer, as the plainer 2 scores averaged 168c, with the better covered 3 and 4 scores ranging from 162c to 232c/kg. Heavy weight bulls topped at 248c/kg.