Market Report 27th August 2024

Cattle - 1170

Inverell penned 1170 good quality cattle a minimum rise of 163 head. There was an increase in weight for all categories and although there was a return of a major cow buyer those buyers were in limited numbers. Notwithstanding the cow market was very buoyant. Backgrounder and feeder competition was strong.  Weaner steers dropped 20c/kg while heifer demand was strong to an increase of 10c/kg. Light yearling steers lifted 21c/kg to background . A negative quality correction through drafts of the medium feeder steers saw a slip of 6c/kg selling 286c to 406c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed on saw a lift of 10c/kg. Light background heifers gained 9c/kg while light heifers to feed were 23c/kg better. Medium weight feeder heifers dearer by 9c/kg to top at 355c/kg and heavy feeders were up 22c/kg and averaged 356c/kg.  Grown steers to process sold to 354c/kg with processor heifers averaging 316c/kg and slightly dearer. Medium cows lifted 19c/kg heavy cows gained 12/kg to top at 328c/kg. Bulls resulted in a significant rise of 17c/kg making 274c to 312c/kg. 

Sheep

Yarding –  3822 Lambs – 3021 Sheep – 801

Inverell penned 3021 lambs and 801 grown sheep an addition of 654 on last sale. Limited competition from interstate restockers although a small number headed South of the border. Processors settled for the most part. Heavy lambs formed much of the competition with similar cents per kilo in the equation but an increase in carcass weight.  Light processors lambs to $23/head dearer selling to $179/head. Trade cross bred lambs $148 to $178 /head slightly dearer while the Dorper drafts were cheaper. As weight increased so did market trends. Merino lambs to $26/head better with cross bred categories lifting $3/head $202 to $226/head these lambs in the 26 to 30kg cwt bracket. Lambs in excess of 30kgs cwt topped at $290/head and $18/head dearer. Heavy hoggets were cheaper selling $112 to $115/head.  Heavy Dorper ewes lifted to make $115/head. Similarly cross bred ewes lifted $3/head and sold to $112/head.