The supply of cattle at central NSW markets has jumped as producers take the opportunity to sell on a stronger market.
At Dubbo last Thursday there were 3980 head offered which was 2100 more than the week before. There were large numbers of cows yarded (1288 head), a number of which were in plain condition according to the National Livestock Reporting Service. There was a reasonable selection of trade cattle, along with fair numbers to suit the feeders.
The prime yearling steers (C2 and C3) at Dubbo sold from 288c/kg to 310c/kg. Feeder steers were firm, but feeder heifers were 10c/kg to 15c/kg cheaper. The feeder steers sold from 220c/kg to 296c/kg, while the feeder heifers made from 200c/kg to 268c/kg. Young restocker steers mading from 195c/kg to 293c/kg. Grown steers were 15c/kg dearer, with the prime medium weights (500kg to 600kg) receiving from 244c/kg to 295c/kg. Plain conditioned cows were 12c/kg to 15c/kg cheaper according to NLRS figures, while the properly finished cows were 7c/kg cheaper. One- and two-score cows sold from 55c/kg to 174c/kg, while the better three- and four-scores made from 166c/kg to 245c/kg for a single C muscle cow. The prime heavy weight cows averaged 216c/kg.
Forbes, Carcoar, Scone and Singleton picked up where Dubbo left off producing much bigger yardings, although prices were mostly firm to cheaper.
Forbes recorded a huge jump in supply to yard 2284 cattle and most of these were yearling steers and heifers. The market trend was cheaper. Yearling steers to feed eased 10c/kg according to NLRS. The 330kg to 400kg (mostly C2s) sold from 248c/kg to 300c/kg, while heavy weights made from 255c/kg to 315c/kg. The better finished types to processors sold from 240c/kg to 312c/kg. A big portion of the C2 yearling heifers (330kg to 400kg) went to feeders and sold from 240c/kg to 260c/kg. Many cows at Forbes tipped the scales at more than 520kg and sold from 172c/kg to 223c/kg. NLRS reported the quality was back and this explained the 10c/kg to 15c/kg cheaper trend.
At Carcoar there were 3640 head offered and about 1000 of those were cows. Weaners were in limited supply and there was only a few grown steers in prime condition. A big chunk of the yearling were bought by feedlots. Feeder steers were firm according to NLRS, with the secondary types easing by up to 6c/kg. Medium and heavy weights sold from 240c/kg to 313c/kg, with medium weights averaging 295c/kg. Feeder heifers followed a similar trend, selling from 239c/kg to 271c/kg. Heavy trade cattle made from 269c/kg to 309c/kg.
In the Hunter region, consignments nearly tripled at Scone on Tuesday with the breed and quality remaining fair to good. The majority were younger cattle and overall were suitable for the feeder and restocker orders. The over 200kg restocker vealer steers slipped 30c/kg, making from 210c to 284c/kg. The same weight heifer portion to the restockers and backgrounders trended 20c/kg cheaper and ranged from 180c/kg to 276c/kg. Yearling steers to the feeder orders decreased 30c/kg, making from 200c/kg to 278c/kg. Yearling heifers to the lot feeders sold from 190c to 246c/kg. The prime younger cattle to butchers eased 10c/kg, with the best topping at 314c/kg. The better covered heavy cows ranged from 190c/kg to 212c/kg.
Numbers doubled to 1210 head at Singleton on Wednesday and most were young cattle. The bulk were suitable for the lot feeders and restockers. The over 200kg vealer steers to the restockers sold from 190c/kg to 286c/kg. Yearling steers to feed and restock were 20c/kg to 40c/kg cheaper, with medium weights making from 238c/kg to 274c/kg.