CONTINUING dry conditions in the New England and North West resulted in a cheaper market at Tamworth last Friday, when weaner steers reached a top of $1070.
The 2100-head yarding of mixed quality cattle included 1040 steers, 595 heifers, 270 cows and calves and 195 PTIC females.
Agent Chris Paterson, Tamworth, said cows and calves were firm to slightly cheaper, while weaners and yearlings were $50 to $60 cheaper than the previous store sale.
Weaner steers sold from $680 to $1170 for eight- to nine-month-old Angus steers from Lavelle Pastoral Company, Bundarra, that had come off agistment at Baradine.
Charolais-cross weaners from 10 to 12 months of age reached $1150 and seven- to eight-month-old Hereford steers from Neil and Beth Higgins, “Old Crockford”, Nowendoc, made $1070.
Yearling steers made between $800 and $1350 for steers from Keith Harris, Tamworth.
Weaner heifers ranged from $540 to $850 for eight- to nine-month-old Angus-cross weaners from Betty Crago."Sanday", Gowrie.
Yearling heifers sold from $700 to $1070 for Angus heifers from the White family, Weabonga.
Cows and calves sold to $2410, up from a high of $2200 at the previous store sale, for Charbray cows with calves from Roger McDowell, “Tregowen”, Pilliga.
PTIC females sold from $900 to $1330 for 18- to 20-month-old Hereford heifers that were PTIC to black bulls from David Gowing, “Glenleigh”, Tamworth.
The cows topped at $1300 for Angus/Hereford-cross cows, PTIC to Angus and Simmental/Angus-cross bulls.
Mr Paterson said the dry weather and the resulting market uncertainty led to more affordable prices, but he didn’t expect a major fall in prices due to stock levels.
“The saving grace for the market going forward will be the fact that there aren’t many store cattle out there.”
Ruth Schwager
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
