Strong bidding for lighter weighted steers

Greg Anderson, MD and JJ Anderson, Crookwell, said any steers in good enough condition were going to processors, small and large.

He sold five Murray Grey steers to Colonial Meats for $2241.20 average at South Eastern Livestock Excange (SELX) at Yass on behalf of S&J Partnership.

"It's a solid market at the moment," Mr Anderson said. "The market is still right up there."

The Murray Grey steers went to a smaller processor looking for the right weight cattle for their market at an average of 431kilograms, which was the right weight for them.

"There are plenty of processors and restockers in the market. Any smaller weighted steers were getting picked up by the feedlots and backgrounders."

Isaac Hill, Wagga Regional Livestock, said it appeared the yearling steers split into two markets.

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There had been very high compeititon at Wagga saleyards in the last three weeks.

Any yearling cattle in prime condition were going to local abattoirs.

Medium to poor conditioned steers were going to backgrounders and feedlotters.

He said there were not great numbers of yearling steers. "There has been high competition among domestic butchers for them," he said. "Also from Coles to butchers at Wangaratta."

Almost all cattle held firm at Wagga Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre on Monday. There was a 2900 yarding.

Chris Paterson, Tamworth, Chris Paterson Stock and Station Agent, said all classes of cattle were selling strong and there were "no holes in the market".

Yearling steers were doing well, and there was a shorter supply than previous years.

"Supply is down so prices are good," Mr Paterson said.

"A lot are coming off oats. Larger 600kg killer steers are selling from 480 to 500c/kg, your 500kg steers from 500 to 530c/kg while your lighter steers will go for 520 to 600c/kg." The feeder job was really good and there were many in the market at Tamworth on Monday.

There was mainly Angus cattle at Tamworth but mixed breeds from Queensland were making there way to Tamworth for market. The normal abattoir buyers were buying strongly on Monday.

At SELX last Thursday there was a total yarding of 691 cattle. The report said: "Numbers lifted and the quality was mixed. There were a few weaners and a good run of feeder steers. Restockers were strong on the heifers and heavy trade cattle were limited. Grown steers and bullocks were back in volume and there were more light grown heifers. Around 100 cows, mostly heavy weights penned. The market sold to mixed trends."

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