Heavy steers improve 20c/kg
ROMA
THE reduction in prices the previous sale combined with some very isolated falls of rain in parts of the supply area reduced the number of stock by 3637 head to 6663 at the Roma store sale. The overall quality of the young cattle was mixed, however there was a relatively small selection of good heavy grown steers and bullocks penned in the grown cattle section along with some good heavy cows. A large panel of buyers was present and operating across all classes. Prices for light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock could not maintain the levels of the previous sale. Medium weight yearling steers to feed sold to a firm market. However, heavy weight yearling steers over 400kg to feed lifted in price by over 20c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers varied in price according to quality and medium weights met fair demand for the quality penned. Cows experienced some improvements in places following the losses of the previous sale.
Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 318.2c with most close to 308c, while the lesser quality lines averaged 279c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed made to 328.2c to average 312c/kg. A fair sample of heavy weights to feed averaged 326c and made to 330.2c/kg in pen lots. Light weight yearling heifers returned to the paddock or background made to 286.2c to average 268c and the poorer quality lines averaged 226c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed made 292.2c to average 275c/kg.
Heavy grown steers to export slaughter made to 319.2c and the bullock portion made to 317.2c to average 316c/kg. Medium weight two score cows averaged 218c and made to 230.2c/kg.
Good heavy cows mostly sold around 250c with some to 253.2c/kg. Heavy bulls made to 258.2c/kg.
WARWICK
NUMBERS increased by 226 for a yarding of 1180 head of cattle at Warwick this week. The yarding consisted of a good supply of yearling cattle, while cows dominated the grown cattle section. The yarding of young cattle was made up of a larger number of yearling steers and a good supply of heifers. Quality was mixed, although there was some good runs of well bred yearling steers suitable for feeders, and the lighter steers were acquired by backgrounders and restockers. Heifers went mainly to feeders and backgrounders and there was a small offering of trade heifers that were acquired by butchers and wholesalers.
Competition was stronger for feeder steers, with the heavier end attracting the keenest demand, however medium weight steers also sold to a dearer trend, as did the well bred background steers. Medium and heavy weight feeder steers were 10c to 20c dearer, with medium weights reaching a top of 326c for an average of 312c/kg. Heavy feeder steers sold up to 325c, with most sales averaging approximately from 314c to 317c/kg. Feeder heifers were up to 15c dearer in places, for an average of 287c, topping at 304c/kg. The small offering of trade heifers sold to 305c/kg.
The yarding of export cattle consisted of a small offering of grown steers and heifers, and a fair penning of cows. There were some well finished cattle through the sale, although there was also a fair number of plainer grades offered. Grown steers held firm reaching a top of 315c, while heifers sold up to 279c/kg. The cow market was firm to slightly dearer, with 2 score medium weights averaging 216c, while the 3 score medium weights averaged 231c and heavy cows sold to top of 247c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 264c/kg.
TOOWOOMBA
NUMBERS increased by 144 head to 672 and there was a wide variation in quality across most classes. A fair panel of export and feeder buyers was present and operating, however, restocker buyers were selective in their purchases. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock could not maintain the levels of the previous sale and averaged over 40c/kg cheaper, although some of the decreases could be attributed to the quality penned. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market experienced very little change in price. Light weight yearling heifers to restockers or background eased 14c to 16c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to the trade sold to strong demand. There were too few heavy grown steers and bullocks to quote. Cows generally sold close to firm following the decline experienced in the previous sale.
Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 300.2c to average 289c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market sold to 310.2c to average 284c, while medium weight yearling steers to feed made to 313.2c to average 292c/kg. Most light weight yearling heifers sold for approximately 250c, with some reaching 274.2c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to the trade made to an isolated sale of 320.2c, with the largest numbers close to 283c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed made to 270c to average 268c/kg.
Medium weight two score cows averaged 206c and the best of the medium weights averaged 240c/kg. Good heavy cows made to 255.2c, with a small selection averaging 250c/kg. Heavy bulls made to 274.2c/kg.
DALBY
NUMBERS increased by 603 head to 5634 at Dalby and cattle were drawn from a wide area, with 1890 from far western Queensland and a couple of consignments from New South Wales and South Australia, with the balance from the usual supply area. A full panel of export buyers attended and all were operating. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market gained 7c to 19c and heavy weights improved by 10c to 13c/kg. Medium and heavy weight yearling heifers to feed lifted by 10c to 11c/kg.
Bullocks averaged 3c/kg better and cows sold close to the previous week’s level. C2 yearling steers to feed sold from 298.2c to 331.2c, averaging 316.2c to be 7c/kg dearer than last week. C3 yearling heifers to feed made from 281.2c to 306.2c to average 292.3c, up 11c/kg.
Grown C4 steers weighing 500-600kg sold from 295.2c to 318.2c, averaging 309.1c/kg, experiencing no change on last week. C4 manufacturing steers sold 10c dearer, making from 284.2c to 305.2c and averaging 301.2c/kg. 500kg plus D4 cows sold from 246.2c to 258.2c, averaging 252.4c and increasing 1c/kg. C3 bulls sold from 230.2c to 269.2c, to average 249.4c, easing 5c, with best bull topping the market at 292c/kg.