Numbers eased slightly to see 1695 yarded at Monday’s cattle sale, though quality was improved. There was a better run of supplementary fed finished pens on offer, along with the plainer secondary types. Yearlings made up the majority of the offering, along with a penning of cows. The usual buyers were present and competing in a dearer market, particularly on the better finished types.

Yearling steers to processors were 2c to 6c better, with prices making from 250c to 304/kg. Those to feed sold from 240c to 294c for middle weights and 260c to 307c/kg for heavy weights. The heifer portion to processors increased 15c/kg, partly due to an improvement in quality. Prices sold from 232c to 301c/kg for medium and heavy weights. Those to feed also showed an improvement, making from 200c to 263c/kg.

Numbers also fell at Tuesday’s sheep and lamb sale with both lamb and mutton showing the decrease.

The total yarding was 31150, with 22050 lambs and 9100 sheep.

Lamb quality was similar to the previous sales with good numbers of finished lambs offered along with the plainer types. There was 10,400 new season lambs penned and trade weights made up the majority. The usual buyers were present and competing in an erratic but cheaper market.

New season lambs were $15 to $20 cheaper with light weights selling from $138 to $158/head. Trade weights sold from $142 to $211/head. Heavy and extra heavy weight lambs received from $200 to $230/head. Carcase prices averaged from 820c to 845c/kg cwt. Old lambs also fell $15 to $25 with trade weights selling from $138 to $175/head. Heavy lambs up to 26kg cwt sold from $190 to $239 with extra heavy weights receiving from $224 to $285/head.