Yarding: 2,900 (+590)
As the warmer weather sets in, Gunnedah Saleyards saw an increased yarding, with a strong supply of young cattle. Cows and grown heifers dominated the export market, while well-finished heavy grown steers were limited.
The overall quality was generally good, with the majority of cattle presented in forward condition. However, the reduced buyer presence, particularly for heavy weight feeder steers, led to softer demand. Not all processors were operating at their usual levels, which further impacted market dynamics.
Key Highlights:
- Young Cattle: Supply for young cattle destined for restocking and feedlots weakened, with light and medium weight yearling steers experiencing cheaper trends, dropping by 15 to 20c/kg.
- Feeder Steers: Reduced competition saw heavy weight feeder steers fall by 16c to 30c/kg, with mixed breed pens showing more stability than specialty lines.
- Yearling Heifers: Demand for yearling heifers also softened, especially for those in higher condition scores. Prices trended lower but remained more stable than steers.
- Grown Steers & Heifers: Heavy grown steers for processing remained firm or slightly dearer, a trend also reflected in the top-quality grown heifers.
- Cow Market: Varying trends were observed, with medium weight cows remaining steady to cheaper, while well-finished heavy cows saw slight improvements.
- Bulls: Heavyweight bulls faced a cheaper trend, further contributing to the overall weaker market sentiment.
While market trends showed a softer tone across most categories, the demand for quality cattle remains, especially for well-finished stock. Stay tuned for further updates as the market adjusts to changing supply and demand conditions.
Source: Beef Central
