Forbes to $970

The pattern between last month and last week was similar in that rain was forecast before both sales.

However, this month's sale did follow some earlier rain in the two weeks lead up.

A strong contingent of local buyers competed against fewer from Parkes, and towards Lake Cargelligo.

Cow and calf values rose by as much as $50 to $80 a unit on the January sale according to local agent Luke Whitty, Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon and Company.

"It was a very good sale with strong local competition," he said.

"Weaner steers and weaner heifers were all about $30 to $40 better off as well."

Mr Whitty said weaner steer prices ranged from $420 to $530, while younger weaner steers sold from $310 to $380.

"Weaner to yearling heifers made from $380 to $460 with the youngsters selling from $250 to $340," he said.

Forbes Livestock Agency Company director Tim Mackay said the cattle market had been too cheap and the lift in values were gains producers had been waiting for to become more profitable.

Graeme and Jess Smyth of Canowindra topped the sale at $970 with their draft of 10 Angus/black baldy cows and Angus sired calves at foot, selling to Kylie and Adrian Matthews, Wirrinya.

George and Marcia Isbester, Nymagee, sold some drafts topping at $960 a unit for three Limousin cows of mixed ages with Limousin calves at foot of three to five months that sold to the Dubbo district.

Another six Angus cow and calf units (calves being two to four months) made $860, while another five units sold at $700.

A line of nine Angus cows and calves of two to four months at foot, made $840 when sold on account J.K.P. Partnership.

These had been on agistment at Orange from Coonabarabran.

Parkes district restocker, Shiralee Unger, secured 18 Angus and Hereford cow and calf units at $880. These were five-year-old third-calver cows with calves at three to four months at foot.

Top-priced steers at $95 a head offered by John Cobb, "Black Range", Condobolin, sold to Gundamain Feedlot, Eugowra.

Two pens of Angus-cross weaner steers of six months of age totalling 31 head sold on account of the Curtis family, Trundle, at $530 a head when bought by Karl Tulloch of West Wyalong.