The market improves with grown steers to process topping at 448c 

Agents yarded a total of 1,276 head at the Northern Livestock Exchange prime sale on Wednesday, February 16.

There was increased numbers of young cattle, and grown cattle were also in larger numbers.

The yarding of young cattle consisted mainly of vealers, along with a fair penning of light yearlings. Quality was good with mainly well presented young cattle offered.

There was a good supply of medium weight vealers, and fewer light weights through the sale.

Competition was stronger for all classes of young cattle, resulting in restocker vealer steers selling 10c dearer and up to 20c dearer in places depending on breed and weight.

Most steer prices ranged from 614c to 980c/kg for well bred light weights. Restocker vealer heifers were firm to 10c dearer selling from 600c to 832c/kg.

Yearling steers to restock and feed sold from 418c to 742c, while the yearling heifers ranged from 480c to 788c/kg.

The yarding of export cattle consisted of a very good line up of cows and several pens of grown steers and heifers.

The market improved with grown steers to process topping at 448c and feeders to 542c/kg, grown heifers toped at 442c/kg.

The cow market was firm to 5c dearer for medium weights to average 370c, while heavy cows were 2c dearer selling to 386c, and restocker cows reached a top price of 408c/kg.

NRLX market reporter Doug Robson