A BOOST to saleyard cattle supply, on the back of last week's rain reduced yardings, has done little to rein in dearer prices early this week.
Lot feeders and restockers remain competitive on the buyers rail and via online bids helping to force up values across most categories of livestock.
Feeder steers were dearer with averages above the 400 cents a kilogram mark, while heavy steers climbed to an average of 383c/kg.
What's unique about this dearer market is that it's been under the shadow of saleyard visitor restrictions in recent weeks due to COVID-19 precautions.
Fears of limited buyer competition appear to have been quelled, although it's claimed players in the online saleyards marketing arena have brought additional buyer interaction to market.
At Carcoar's sale last Friday 25 per cent of the total sale was bid online.
McCarron Cullinane agent Lindsay Fryer, Orange, said it was one of the strongest sale days online so far for Carcoar with 120 people watching the sale and 17 online bidders.
"It's one of the strongest markets we've had in quite some time," Mr Fryer said.
"The combination of the physical restrictions and more people recognising the benefit of having StockLive available to them helped create strong competition and that's really encouraging."
Adam Inchbold, Yarrawonga, bought $90,000 worth of cattle during the sale. "Our businesses have to keep moving forward, regardless of the changing environment at the saleyards due to COVID-19," he said.
"I was able to secure the quality stock I wanted, and it was easy and time saving doing it from my farm office."
StockLive manager Libby Hufton said prime sales simulcast via StockLive were consistently gaining viewer support and engagement .
"Ensuring sellers and buyers can continue to access the market, no matter where they live, supports a sustainable livestock industry," she said, adding that sales at Scone were a standout with the support shown in the prime cattle market.
"At Scone, around 20pc of the sale sees bids from the online buyers week in week out," she said
"Sale outcomes like we've seen recently demonstrate the growing flexibility of the industry in adapting to new ways of working."
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