STORE cattle supply lifted to 4490 head for the monthly December store cattle sale at Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange, Carcoar, last Friday.
As the drought continues, it was obvious some cattle producers had taken the decision to offload further stock before the start of the new year.
There were plenty of young light weaners, many straight of their mothers, which in a better season would be retained until the traditional Central Tablelands weaner sales in April.
Across the yarding, the fresher, light weaners and heavy cattle with condition sold to a slightly dearer trend when compared to last month's store sale, while the plainer and drier lines were cheaper.
Heavy Angus weaners topped at $1120, while the bulk of those tipping the scales at more than 280kg sold from $750 to $950.
Weaner steers less than 200kg sold from $180 to $685 and those from 200kg to 280kg made $415 to $799.
The top of the weaner heifers hit $750, while lighter lines hit a ceiling of $580.
Prices for yearling steers less than 330kg varied due to condition.
Those lacking condition attracted bids as low as $230, while the top lines climbed as high as $1080.
Heavier pens from 330kg to 400kg sold from $840 to $1120.
It was a similar trend across the yearling heifer pens with the top lines hitting $970, but the lighter females sold as low as $300.
A limited number of pregnancy-tested-in-calf females topped at $1140, while unjoined cows only sold to $535.
Most of the cows with young calves (less than two months) sold from $700 to $1100.
Any of the cows with older calves at foot with a decent amount of condition started at about $1000, however lighter units lacking condition attracted limited buyer competition to sell as low as $400.
The top cows with calves sold for $1560.
The sale was conducted by Central Tablelands Livestock Agents Association.