Gunnedah Cattle Report

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Report Date: 30th April 2024

Total Yarding: 1,215

Commentary

There was a small reduction in numbers with vealers and yearlings well supplied. There were not many well finished grown steers and heifers while cows were plentiful. The quality of the offering was again mixed however showed a vast improvement on the previous week. The full field of buyers were in attendance with demand increasing.

The market for weaner steers to restockers responded positively to a quality improvement that saw competition increase. This resulted in dearer trends throughout the medium and heavy weights along with a strong breed related price change. The heifers portion followed a similar trend. The limited supply of vealers also sold to a dearer trend. The quality of the yearling steers improved as did the market trend with medium and heavy weights showing increases of 15c to 20c/kg. The increase was not necessarily breed related. There was little but quality related price change in the medium and heavy weight yearling heifers to restock and feed. There were no yearlings suitable to processors.

Insufficient heavy grown steers or well finished grown heifers to quote. The majority of the grown heifers went to restockers or feedlots with the lightly muscled heifers selling strongly in comparison to those carrying better muscle definition. Quality was a factor in higher prices in most classes of cows. Market trends were firm to dearer with the top priced restocker cows being joined for a July/August calving. An increased yield potential was a major factor in the higher end of prices for the well finished heavy weights.