Yarding 1106 Change -262

Numbers eased and quality was mixed. Yearlings were best supplied and there was a small offering of Vealers.

Grown cattle were in very limited numbers and around 160 mixed quality cows were penned.

All the usual buyers operated in a firm to cheaper market.

The best of the few vealers reached 335c and light restocking steers sold to a top of 384c/kg.

Feeder steers were 9c to 12c/kg cheaper with only the best lines holding firm.

Steers sold from 294c to 330c/kg. Medium weights feeder heifers were unchanged receiving 280c to 305c/kg.

Trade cattle sold to similar rates and ranged from 282c to 324c/kg for both steers and heifers.

Grown steers sold from 260c to 310c and the few grown heifers 252c to 280c/kg for the better shaped.

The medium weights 2 score cows were firm ranging from 190c to 218c and the heavy weights eased 2c, to 217c to 230c, averaging 226c/kg.

Results of the sheep and lamb sale at Forbes on Tuesday, February 28

Yarding 31150 Change -18000

Lambs 22700 Change -15150

Sheep 8450 Change -2850

Numbers showed a sharp decline this sale with lambs showing the biggest decrease.

Lamb quality was also reduced slightly with a larger portion of the offering showing the signs of the continuing dry weather.

There was a reduction in the number of heavy and extra heavy weight lambs penned.

The usual buyers were present and competing in a cheaper market.

Light lambs were $6 easier to sell from $103 to $116/head.

Trade weights were $5 to $7/head easier and more depending on quality.

Prices ranged from $118 to $143/head.

Heavy and extra heavy weights slipped $7 to $8/head.

Heavy lambs sold from $142 to $157 and extra heavies sold from $154 to $215/head. Carcase prices averaged from 589c to 617c/kg.

Mutton numbers decreased and Merinos made up the majority of the mixed quality offering.

Prices remained firm to slightly dearer with Merino ewes selling from $82 to $137/head.

Crossbreds sold from $88 to $145 and Dorper ewes received from $76 to $120/head. Merino wethers sold from $94 to $140/head.

Market information provided by MLA's National Livestock Reporting Service