Market Report 10 December 2024

Cattle - 1193

Inverell penned similar numbers at 1193 head for the last sale of 2024 with the next sale on the 7th January 2025. Quality and trends were mixed with not all cow buyers operating however feeders and backgrounders were competitive.   Weaner steers were dearer 400c to 422c/kg the heifers 314c to 342c/kg. Light background steers were cheaper with a drop in quality. Steers under 330 kgs  15c/kg better selling up to 424c/kg. Similar weights to feed were significantly dearer 384c to 412c/kg. Medium feeder steers gained slightly to sell 340c to 400c/kg and heavy feeders were 10c/kg better. Light heifers to background gained 13c/kg however medium weight heifers slipped 7c/kg to top at 340c/kg.   Heavy grown steers 290c to 306c/kg the heifers 298c to 312c/kg. Two score cows lifted 22c/kg but heavy cows slipped 11c to 13c/kg 270c to 277c/kg. Heavy bulls lost ground with limited bull operators and topped at 298c/kg. 

Sheep

Yarding – 1797 Lambs – 1114 Sheep – 683

Inverell penned 1114 lambs and 683 grown sheep for the final sheep and lamb sale for 2024.The first sale for 2025 will be the 7th January. The offering was principally made up of Dorper sheep and lambs with very limited numbers of finished crossbred lambs. Rain through the drawing area precluded a lot of booked in stock being penned. The major buyers attended to result in sheep and lamb trends improving considerably.  Trade lambs to $9/head better and heavy trades considerably dearer $205 to $210/head. Heavy lambs to 26kgs cwt were $16 dearer making to $220/head. Heavy hoggets made to $100/head.  Sheep were dearer with Dorpers gaining $20/head. Crossbred ewes $65 to $120/head. Merino wethers gained $31/head and heavy Dorper wethers $148 to $156/head.