There was a spring in the steps of restockers as they seriously sought the better lines of cattle at Tumut

Rebuilding the national herd is going to be very tough when rain does come because heifers will be very dear and there wont be many around.

Right on cue the August winds have stepped into gear this week and placed even further pressure on the landscape.

Restockers re-enter the cattle market in parts of the state.

It's decision time for producers who are fortunate enough to have grazing crops to decide whether to lock up for grain or hay or continue to graze.

The drought is biting deep into supply of heavy grass-fed steers and heifers

Defying the dry conditions, Knowla Livestock had 100 per cent clearance with many bulls remaining locally in the Moppy district, near Gloucester.

Of 100 bulls on offer there was 60 per cent clearance at Kempsey.

Judith Wright wrote of a "wide brown land", and how right she was.

The state's cow market is getting even hotter with cows selling to 276 cents a kilogram live, not seen at Tamworth since 2016.