Quality improved at Tamworth for the last sale of the year with growers sending in some good medium weight vealers and well finished trade yearlings. The market trend was dearer or fully firm. Yearlings sold at rates between 6¢ and 10¢/kg dearer. The light restocker calves sold strongly, recording price rises of up to 35¢/kg. Cows lost a further 8¢/kg.

Numbers decreased substantially at Wagga in the last sale before Christmas and quality across all grades was mixed. Prime yearling steers and heifers sold up to 2¢/kg cheaper. Grown heifers had a reduced field of buyers operating resulting in prices held firm to 2¢/kg easier. A mixed selection of cows was mainly medium weight lines and those grades were 2¢/kg cheaper.

The EYCI gained 12.25¢ from last week to stand at 284.25¢/ckg cwt on Monday, with feeder steers receiving the greatest gains. The Japan ox and US cow also dropped 13¢ and 2¢ to stand at 145¢ and 93¢/kg.

Bendigo sheep and lamb supply dropped to 22,000 head due to recent cheaper price rates as not all the usual buyers either attended or active. However there was keener competition for restocking young lambs, as shorn lambs attracted keenest demand. Very light 1 scores were $8 to $10 dearer with rates between $20 and $36/head. Light trade remained steady at 240¢ to 270¢/kg cwt to processors but were many bought to feed-on. Heavy young lambs over 18kg averaged $3 to $5/head cheaper making 260¢/kg cwt. Their shorn counterparts averaged $2 to $6/head cheaper with most around 290¢/kg cwt.

The majority of eastern states lamb indicators eased after Monday sales. Restocker and light lambs lost 23¢ and 2¢ to stand at 200¢ and 219¢/kg cwt respectively. Trade and heavy lost 12¢ and 16¢ to finish at 284¢ and 290¢/kg cwt respectively. However Merino and mutton gained 14¢ and 16¢ to finish at 199¢ and 52¢/kg cwt respectively.

TheCattleSite News Desk