Market Report 13 August 2024

Cattle - 1545

Numbers were down slightly for a yarding of 1,545 head consisting of a good supply of young cattle, while cows numbers continue to be high.  The yarding of young cattle consisted of large numbers of yearlings and there was several pens of weaner cattle offered. Quality was fairly good with several lots of well bred and well finished cattle off crop, along with some plainer type cattle offered.   The market continued to be strong with restocker weaner steers selling to a top of 442c/kg.  Feeder steers sold firm to 5 c dearer depending on weight and breed, ranging from 344c to 392c, while feeder heifers held firm selling from 280c to 346c/kg.  The yarding of export cattle consisted mainly of cows, while there was a small penning of grown steers, however there was increased numbers of grown heifers offered.   Grown steers ranged from 314c to 350c, while grown heifers struggled to reach last week’s prices selling from 262c to 339c/kg.  The cow market saw little change, although there was not the number of heavy high yielding cows offered this week. The 3 score cows averaged 281c while 4 score cows sold from 282c to 321c/kg.  Heavy bulls toped at 301c/kg. 

Sheep

Yarding –  2996 Lambs – 2345 Sheep – 651

There was a larger yarding of 2,996 head of sheep of which there was 2,345 lambs.  Quality of the lambs was generally good with a fair percentage off crop.   There was a good supply of trade weights and also a good run of heavy and extra heavy lambs offered.    The market was strong with trade weights selling from $150 to $186 while heavy trade lambs ranged from $176 to $212/head.  Heavy and extra heavy lambs sold from $215 to $250/head.  Dorper lambs reached a top price of $215/head.  The small penning of hoggets toped at $210/head.  There was a good quality penning of mutton, mainly ewes.  The market improved for most lots ranging from $82 to $148/head.