Sale numbers increase in Gunnedah

There was a substantial increase in numbers at Tuesday’s sale with yearling feeder cattle well supplied.

The quality of the offering was fair to very good while condition showed a great deal of variation. There were not many light weight young cattle for restockers to operate on with the majority of the yearlings falling into the medium and heavy weight classes.

A southern export processor entered the cow market with a full field of regular buyers also in attendance.

Strong demand from all sectors resulted in dearer trends through the young cattle.

The few light weight restocker steers were keenly sought. Medium and heavy weight feeder steers saw significant increases of as much as 30c/kg with little price disparity for breed. Quality was the major factor in price ranges.

Heavy weight yearling steers over 480kg saw both processors and feedlots compete for the same cattle with those to process showing similar gains.

Light weight yearling heifers to restockers posted strong gains.

Whilst dearer the price gains for medium and heavy weight heifers to feed were not as great.

The heavy weights attracted the strongest competition.

Well finished heavy grown steers and heifers attracted strong competition from processors.

The extra competition combined with strong demand from the regular processors saw a cow market that was as much as 20c/kg dearer.