AN increased yarding of 1500 head of cattle saw mixed results at the Tamworth store sale on Friday, where prices for the top end of the offering were pushed $300 higher than the previous sale.
But, agents reported the majority of cattle were $60 to $80 cheaper than a fortnight earlier as seasonal uncertainty continues.
All regular buyers were active including renewed strength from the Hunter Valley region, with cattle sourced from local New England regions along with Gloucester and Glen Innes.
Ian Morgan Livestock principal Ian Morgan said buyer doubts surrounding the season, particularly with recent warmer weather, had impacted the market.
“The better quality sold better but the main run were definitely cheaper, particularly the lighter end of the weaner steers and weaner heifers,” he said.
Yearling steers peaked at $920, up from $750 at the last sale, with the majority of Angus, Santa and Charolais genetics ranging within $690 to $795.
A highlight of the sale was an offering of 12 fresh condition, yearling Poll Shorthorn heifers from the Calrossy Anglican School, Tamworth, which sold to $1010, up from $710 at the last sale.
The school run about 50 stud breeders on their agriculture plot, retaining eight to 10 of their top progeny for replacement females while the remainder are offloaded to the store sale as commercial future breeders.
Calrossy Primary Industries teacher Geoff Nielsen said their turnoff was slightly later due to the drought conditions with the females weighing between 290 kilograms and 360 kilograms.
“We try to give them (the students) experiences right through to the breeding of them to the marketing,” Mr Nielsen said.
“We hope (the heifers) go on and do a really good job for the buyer.”
Speckle Park Angus cross F1 heifers between 10 and 12 months from Cole and TL Geale made $850 but the remainder of the heifer market was slightly back with prices ranging from $520 to $690.
Cows and calves receded slightly with Charolais females from the Gunn family making $1300, compared with $1480 at the previous sale.
PTIC fell from $1170 to $710 for Angus females from Westwood Pastoral.
