Yarding quality remains sound at SELX

Numbers of 11.567 improved while quality remained mixed. Store lambs and trade weights lacking cover were still best supplied and there was only a small run of prime trade weights. Heavy and extra heavy lambs were consistent in quality and number. Merino lambs were back both in numbers and weight. Not all the usual buyers were operating in a firm to cheaper market.

Light store lambs and secondary trade weight lambs sold to restockers from $66 to $140/head. Trade weights were firm to $5 dearer especially on the neatly shorn heavy trades and ranged from $134 to $165/head for the medium and heavy weights. Heavy lambs were $3 cheaper and received $140 to $174 and extra heavy weights topped at $190/head. Carcase prices averaged between 610c and 655c/kg cwt. The best of the heavy hoggets made to $170/head.

Mutton numbers were steady and the best quality lines were in the light and medium weight Merino ewes. There were several larger drafts of heavy crossbred ewes. The market was up to $15/head cheaper on the lighter Merino ewes. Medium weight ewes sold from $100 to $124/head. Heavy crossbred ewes reached $167 and heavy Merino wethers sold from $107 to $136/head. Most averaged between 480c and 500c/kg cwt. 

A total yarding of 850 saw numbers back and the quality was plain especially in the young cattle. There were only a few lots purchased by processors with the bulk going to feeders and restockers. Prime grown steers over 500kg were limited and there was a reasonable number of plain grown heifers, which returned to the paddock. Cow numbers fell to only 130 head. Not all the usual buyers attended the market.

Light restocking steers sold to 387c and heifers reached 330c/kg. Heavy feeder steers reached 355c and averaged 330c/kg for medium weights. Medium weight feeder heifers made to 310c and light weaner heifers made from 342c/kg to restockers. Heavy trade cattle were the better supplied of the processing lines and sold to 310c for heifers and 340c/kg for steers.

The limited supply of grown steers over 500kg ranged from 270c to 286c/kg. Plain grown heifers to restockers received from 218c to 275c, averaging 245c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows eased 9c, ranging from 170c to 226c, while the heavy weights were similar, selling from 215c to 242c/kg.