Cow prices hold firm, vealer and steer prices down

ABOVE: Jeff Campbell from Tenterfield donated this steer worth $1400 to the Northern Rivers Flood Appeal. Photo: NRLX

Agents yarded a total of 1,978 head at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange regular prime sale on Wednesday, March 23.

There was an increase in numbers for all categories of cattle yarded.

Quality of the young cattle was good with the largest percentage in good 2 score condition, and there was several runs of well bred cattle through the sale, along with a fair number of cross bred steers and heifers offered.

The market was cheaper with the larger numbers unable to maintain last week’s prices.

Cow prices held firm this week averaging 341.1c/kg and reaching a top price of 406.2c/kg. Heifer prices saw another significant drop with lighter heifers up to 250kg averaging 634.1c/kg and topping their category at 822.2c/kg. Heavier heifers over 250kg averaged 492.6c/kg and reached a top of 680.2c/kg.

Bull prices were easier with 32 head sold reaching a top of 342.2c/kg and average of 328.4c/kg and 673kg. This week steer prices were down again with lighter steers up to 250kg averaging 673.2c/kg and top price of 836.2c/kg. Heavier steers over 250kg averaged 565.0c/kg and topped their market at 682.2c/kg. A large number of bullocks sold on the day averaged 415.2c/kg.

As with most other categories, vealer prices fell again this week with lighter vealer up to 250kg averaging 650.9c/kg and reaching a top of 842.2c/kg. Heavier vealer over 250kg averaged 578.0c/kg with a top price of 680.0c/kg.

George & Fuhrmann held day two and three of their annual weaner sales on March 24 and 25 with huge numbers going on the hammer.

Thursday saw 4,180 top quality European weaners sold with a large number of buyers in attendance.

Steers topped their category at 836.0c/kg and averaged 696.9c/kg and 293kg and heifers reached a top of 820.0c/kg and averaged 665.4c/kg and 280kg.

Friday’s sale saw 3,272 Bos Indicus weaners auctioned with steers topping their category at 858.0c/kg and averaging 695.7c/kg and heifers reached a top of $3,225.

This week there is a T&W McCormack and Ramsey & Bulmer joint sale on Friday, April 1. There will be more than 1500 head go under the hammer.

NRLX Business Administration Coordinator Tegan George