PRICES lifted at the feature weaner sale at Tenterfield last Thursday as producers made the most of one of the last New England weaners sales for the year.
The good quality yarding of just below 3000 head included 1890 steers and 1010 heifers.
Steers sold to an average of 395 cents a kilogram and topped at 435c/kg, while the heifer market topped at 382c/kg and averaged 331c/kg.
Ray White agent Ben Sharpe, Tenterfield, said quality was strong right through the yarding, with quality lines of Angus and first-cross cattle, including Angus and Brahman crosses, in strong demand.
Light and middleweight steers weighing up to 300kg sold from 370c/kg to 435c/kg, while heavy steers weighing more than 300kg made between 370c/kg and 400c/kg.
Lighter, good quality heifers weighing less than 280kg sold from 355c/kg to 380c/kg. The heavier heifers, weighing 280kg or more, sold from 320c/kg to 382c/kg.
Mr Sharpe said the market had softened over the past few weeks but quality drove prices up.
“Prices were significantly better than what producers have been getting in the open market and on AuctionsPlus,” he said.
Angus and crossbred calves weighing more than 300kg attracted good feedlot attention and backgrounders and restockers were strong on the lighter cattle, with quality breeders in high demand.
Gary and Jenny Smith, “Loloma”, Tenterfield sold eight-month-old mixed-sex Hereford-cross weaners, with their steers topping at 386c/kg and returning $1010 a head, a big improvement on last year’s prices, Mr Smith said.
Buyers came from the local area, as well as Casino, Inverell, Narrabri, Glen Innes and Molong.
Mr Sharpe said, with a lack of supply and the demand for cattle still strong, he expected the market to remain firm.