Cattle numbers ease

CATTLE numbers at Warwick saleyards eased to 1180 head down from the high numbers of the previous week (1590).
A fair panel of buyers was present and most were operating across all classes.
Young cattle experienced a wide variation in price with only the very best receiving strong competition, while the lesser quality lines sold to lacklustre demand and lost ground in price.
Export slaughter lines of heavy grown steers and bullocks averaged close to the improved prices of the previous sale.
However, cows experienced a mixed trend with medium weight plain condition lines averaging 4c to 6c/kg cheaper, while good heavy cows sold to very solid demand.
A few calves to the trade averaged 151c and sold to 164c/kg. Vealer heifers to feed and local southern processors generally sold in the 150c range, while a handful to local butchers made to 206c, to average 180c/kg.
A lift in the standard of the lightweight yearling steers improved average prices to 178c with a few pens to 192c and D muscle lines averaged close to 140c/kg. Medium weights to the trade averaged 166c, with the occasional sale to 191c/kg.
Heavyweights to feed and the trade averaged in the early to high 160c, with trade descriptions reaching 185c/kg.
The best of the lightweight yearling heifers to feed and the trade averaged in the mid 140c range and D muscle lines 123c/kg. Medium weights to the trade averaged 163c with sales to 186c/kg.
Heavy grown steers averaged 177c and sold to 182c, while bullocks mostly sold around 175c with sales to 177c/kg.
Lightweight plain cows averaged 80c and medium weight 2 scores 106c with sales to 115c/kg. A fair supply of good heavy cows made to a
top of 145c to average 135c/kg. Heavy bulls made to 150c/kg.