Livestock agent ROSS ELLIS of McDougall and Sons brings us an update on the local lamb and cattle markets from this week…
As the end of the financial year beckons, the numbers into the yards held firm this week as the last trading days arrived.
The markets were a little flat in line with the happenings in the Southern markets as winter starts to be felt.
Also contributing are the annual maintenance works at various processors as well as the subdued orders from the general public as the cost of living rears its ugly head with fuel, food as well as rent and expenses as usual for this time of the year.
Cattle numbers
Vealer steers averaged 526.3c/kg to 615.2c/kg or $1217.24 to $2017.81
Vealer heifers averaged 458.3c/kg to 700.2c/kg or $1229.30 to $2030.58
Feeder steers averaged 534.4c/kg to 592.2c/kg or $2159.26 to $2724.12
Feeder heifers averaged 450.5c/kg to 506.2c/kg or $1349.89 to $1781.91
Yearling steers averaged 541.9c/kg to 672.2c/kg or $1436.82 to $2256.87
Yearling heifers averaged 475.8c/kg to 528.2c/kg or $1363.93 to $2215.93
Steers averaged 448.35c/kg to 596.2c/kg or $2181.15 to $2924.00
Heifers averaged 351.5c/kg to 420c/kg or $1660.54 to $2313.98
Manufacturing steers averaged 340c/kg to make $2499
Cows averaged 291.1c/kg topping at 350c/kg or $1563.53 to $2500.56
Bulls averaged 315.7c/kg to 416.2c/kg or $1516.91 to $2730
Sheep and lamb numbers
Sheep and lamb numbers were consistent, but the yarding had a higher than average volume of light trade, mutton and quite a few ewe and lamb units making the numbers.
The good trade and export weight lambs were firm to a shade easier.
The back to the paddock types and ewe and lamb units, unless they were fresh, were on a downwards spiral.
Lambs topped at $218 to average $143.97 down $23/head
Hoggets topped at $198 to average $114.31 up $17/head
Ewes topped at $176 to average $75.37down $11/head
Wethers topped at $180 to average $60.93 a drop of $82/head
Rams topped at $315 to average $143.10 a drop of $23/head
Lamb rams topped at $198 to average $144.27 a jump of $3/head
Sale total averaged $127.91 a drop of $21/head week on week.
Pig and poultry numbers
Gilt pigs sold from $300 to $455, Sows from $260 to $365, Boars sold from $205 to $280, Porkers from $182 to $220, stores from $132 to $180
Ducklings and Chicks sold from $8 to $16, Hens from $2 to $7, Roosters to $20, Ducks to $12
McDougall and Sons sheep and lamb report
Agents yarded 1235 head to the market with a larger number of buyers in attendance.
Lambs topped at $218 to average $143.97 ($23down), hoggets topped at $198 to average $114.31 ($17up), ewes topped at $176 to average $75.37 ($11down), wethers topped at $180 to average $60.93 ($82down), rams topped at $315 to average $143.10 ($23down), ewe and lamb units topped at $184 to average $173.82 ($19up), lamb rams topped at $198 to average $144.27 ($3up), ewe lambs topped at $185 to average $166.51 ($6up).
The total yarding of $1235 head averaged $127.91 a drop of $21/head week on week.
• Stone Family sold 52.5kg lambs ewe portion to restockers for $190, wethers to GR Prime for $185, 42.1kg to GR Prime for $181, ewes to GR Prime for $112, rams to Qld Butchery for $196, ewe & lamb units to restockers for $184, young ewes to restockers for $140, 37.5kg ram lambs & 50kg ram lambs to GR Prime for $140
• Mc Lean Farms sold Dorper ewe lambs 50kg to restockers for $190, ewes to GR Prime for $129, and to restockers for $88
• Dusty Campbell sold Dorper lambs 24.1kg and ram lambs 26kg to Mark Palmer for $90 and $120, ewes to restockers for $108
• Trevor Babington sold 49kg Dorper x lambs to restockers for $197 and $150
• Mc Carthy F/T sold 56kg Dorper lambs to Warwick Meats for $190, 80kg hogget ewe and ewes to restockers for $176
• Shelly F/T sold Xbred lambs off grain 63.75kg to Thomas Foods for $218, 55kg to Thomas Foods for $193, 60kg hoggets to restockers or $183, 30kg lambs to GR Prime for $80
• Thaba Monate sold Dorper x lambs 36.6kg to Whites Trading for $117 and Poll Dorset rams to John & Marion Skinner for $205
• Len Shaw sold Xbred lambs 55kg to restockers for $190 and $110
• Catherine Dyson sold Dorper x lambs 40.9kg to restockers for $130
• James Cowlishaw sold Merino wether hoggets 54kg to Take It Easy Meats for $101, wethers to Whites Trading for $100, ewes to Gr Prime for $80
• Cobby & Katrina Hobbs sold Dorper x ewe and lamb units to restockers for $165, dry ewes to restockers for $80
• Rasmussen Past Co sold a run of Dorper x ewes light in condition to average $42
• Michael & Katrina Gibbs sold light Dorper store lambs 31.66kg to Lara P/S for $114
