CATTLE supply was reduced for the last store sale of the year at the Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange, Carcoar, store cattle sale last Friday.
All up 2588 head were offered and quality was a little plainer and mixed according to the National Livestock Reporting Service.
The recent rain may have enticed cattle producers to hold stock back from sale, while restockers were in the market and prepared to pay dearer rates for the better quality lines.
Pregnancy-tested-in-calf cows were well supplied as were cow and calf units, while young cattle recorded the greatest decline in supply. Most cattle sold to a similar price as the previous sale NLRS reported.
Weaner steers were firm to slightly dearer on selected lines and heifers were similar. Light weaner steers up to 200 kilograms sold from $385 to $820, while medium weight 200kg to 280kg ranged from $710 to $1020 a head.
All the weaner steers tipping the scales at more than 280kg sold from $940 to $1190.
A limited number of lightweight weaner heifers sold from $430 to $685, while those from 200kg to 280kg ranged from $430 to $870. Heavy weaner heifers topped at $1090.
Most of the yearling steers started at about $830 and topped at $1210.
There were almost 300 yearling heifers offered and most tipped the scales at less than 330kg. The bulk sold from $610 to $950.
PTIC heifers were in demand for the limited lines offered and most sold about the $1050 a head mark. PTIC cows sold from $890 for some lighter dairy-bred pens up to $1400 for quality Angus breeders.
Cows with young calves cost buyers $1100 to $1850, while the cows with older calves were knocked down for $980 to $2750.
The top pen at $2750 were C3 Charolais units that created plenty of interest during the auction.
One pen of C4 Angus cows with calved from four to six months sold for $1850 a unit.
The quality of the unjoined cows varied and this was reflected the prices which ranged from $600 to $1200 a head.
The sale was conducted by Central Tablelands Livestock Agents Association.