SUPPLY increased to 3318 cattle at the Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange, Carcoar, store cattle sale last Friday.
Despite the drier season in the district really starting to bite for many graziers, the prices were firm to dearer than the last store sale at Carcoar in January.
The dearer trend was most evident for the top quality weaner steers when compared on a cents a kilogram basis.
Some lines averaged as much as 480 cents a kilogram (liveweight).
A big chunk of the weaner steers and heifers offered were light to medium weights and would normally be marketed in April during the annual weaner sales.
But, the season has meant some producers have had to reassess their plans as feed reserves decline.
From a price perspective, the weaner steers topped at $1155, but there was a big range in the bidding as age and weight influenced buyer competition.
Weaner steers weighing less than 200 kilograms sold from $575 to $815; the 200kg to 280kg sold from $610 to $995; 280kg to 330kg ranged from $750 to $1015, and those tipping the scales at more than 330kg sold for $1040 to $1155.
Most weaner heifers less than 200kg sold from $320 to $645; 200kg to 280kg ranged from $480 to $790, and those from 280kg to 330kg sold from $730 to $890.
A single pen of weaner heifers weighing more than 330kg topped this category at $920 a head.
Only about 50 yearling steers were offered and they sold from $520 to $1050.
The yearling heifers were better supplied (about 250 offered) and the unjoined pens ranged from $650 to $930, while the pregnancy-tested-in-calf heifers sold from $1000 to $1400.
PTIC cows varied in quality and weight and this explained the wide price range from $550 to $1675.
Cows with calves less than two months sold from $775 to $1675 a unit.
The unjoined breeding cows with older calves from two to four month ranged from $1120 to $1940.
PTIC cows with four- to six-month-old calves attracted animated bidding and sold from $1725 to $1750.
The sale was conducted by Central Tablelands Livestock Agents Association.