According to Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service vendors sold 6130 cattle.

This was an increase of  2870 from last week. 

Once again, a significant portion of the offering was comprised of cattle weighing less than 300kg.

There were significant supplies of light weight heifers, with some producers forced to offload more of their weaners, which were being kept in reserve.

Grown steer and bullocks were limited. The usual buying group of domestic and export processors were present, along with the usual group of feedlot buyers, however not all made purchases. There was less restocker competition, which was reflected in the cheaper trends across lighter weight categories. Vealers were in short supply causing a shift in prices. The better covered vealers sold from 240c to 316c/kg. Trade heifers benefited from steady competition, with buyers attempting to find steers suitable for the trade. Medium weight trade heifers sold to a cheaper trend as the market progressed, making from 210c to 299c, averaging 261c/kg.

The bulk of the steers returning to the paddock sold to a variable price trend due to the condition of stock. Steers to turnout sold 9c to 27c cheaper, making from 200c to 278c/kg.

Secondary light weight heifers weighing 200-280kg sold to a cheaper trend, averaging 194c/kg. Light and medium weight feeder steers sold to most of the usual buyers.

Medium weight feeder steers eased 5c, making from 210c to 305c/kg. The lighter steers sold 5c cheaper to average 281.2c/kg. Feeder heifers weighing 330-400kg eased in price as the market progressed, decreasing by 30c to average 244c/kg. Domestic and export processors struggled to source adequate supplies.

The better quality pens of prime finished steers sold from 270c to 298c/kg. In the cow market all weights and grades were represented.

Heavy cows sold to cheaper trends as the market progressed, averaging 230c/kg. The D3 and D2 medium weight lines sold 9c to 22c cheaper making from 120c to 234c/kg.