Livestock agent ROSS ELLIS of McDougall and Sons brings us an update on the local lamb and cattle markets from this week…
Agents saw the weather and the timing of the sales with the end of the financial year and the arrival of the Maroons for the RL Fan day affect the numbers at the weekly sales.
There were several trucks bogged due to conditions for both cattle and sheep deliveries.
This along with a slight increase of purchasers looking to replace stock for the new financial year saw the rates slightly increase for cattle and with a lower than expected yarding of sheep and lambs the rate was dearer across the board.
Cattle numbers
Vealer steers averaged 541.7c/kg to 622.2c/kg or $ 1374.42 topping at $1980.75
Vealer heifers averaged 438.5c/kg to 530.2c/kg or $1280.58 topping at $1819.00
Feeder steers averaged 516.5c/kg to 558.2c/kg or $1986.08 topping at $2433.24
Feeder heifers averaged 474.9c/kg to 500 c/kg or $1552.85 topping at $1856.50
Yearling steers averaged 503.1c/kg to 598.2c/kg or $1497.33 topping at $3194.74
Yearling heifers averaged 477.1c/kg to 520c/kg or $1487.25 topping at $1993.42
Steers averaged 405.5c/kg to 416.2c/kg or $2420.09 topping at $2663.68
Cows averaged 268.4c/kg to 339.2c/kg or $1300.12 topping at $2474.89
Bulls averaged 298c/kg to 459.2c/kg or $1940.05 topping at $2769.68
Sheep and lamb numbers
Lambs topped at $216 to average $175.97 a gain of $32/head
Hoggets topped at $218 to average $148.55 a gain of 34/head
Ewes topped at $140 to average $99.74 a gain of $24/head
Wethers topped at $124 to average $124 a gain of $64/head
Rams topped at $230 to average $216.50 a gain of $43/head
Lamb rams topped at $186 to average $182.65 a gain of $38/head
Ewe lambs topped at $240 to average $210.23 a gain of $44/head
The total yarding was up by $37/head for the sale.
Pig and poultry numbers
The conditions also affected the numbers for the pigs, poultry and calves, with one of the smallest yardings for many a year.
Roosters sold to $21, Pullets to $15, Ducks to $17.50, hens to $2
Sows to $242, Pork from $150 to $186, Light Pork to $154, Stores from $123 to $162
McDougall and Sons sheep and lamb report
Agents and vendors yarded a rain-affected yarding of 364 head to a market whilst lacking in numbers saw strong competition across the categories.
Lambs topped at $216 to average $175.97($32up), hoggets topped at $218 to average $148.55($34up), ewes topped at $140 to average $99.74(24up), wethers topped at $124 to average ($64up), rams topped at $230 to average $216.50($43up), lamb
rams topped at $186 to average $182.25($38up), ewe lambs topped at $240 to average $210.23($44up).
The total yarding averaged $164.89 a rise of $37/ head week on week.
• Keith Cobon sold Dorset lambs 57.8kg to Ashtons Butchery for $216
• John & Regina Henry sold 52.5kg Dorper x lambs off feed to Leslie Lamb for $207
• Daryl Martin sold Black head Dorper ewe lambs 47kg to restockers for $224, 46.25kg to restockers for $224, 45.5kg to Jock Young for $200
• Andrew Dowey sold Dorper x lambs 47.5kg to Ashtons Butchery for $194, 39kg to Moniel Chad for $187, 57.5kg hoggets to Terry Hall for $218, wethers to Take It Easy Meats for $140
• Ken and Katrina Jones sold 50kg Dorper x ewe lambs to restockers for $240, to GR Prime for $184, ewes to Qld Mobile Butchers for $90, 32kg ewe lambs to restockers for $130, lamb rams to Kerry Hall for $172, rams to Wayne Waltisbuhl for $230
• James Cowlishaw sold Merino wether hoggets 56.9kg to Warwick Meats for $140, ewe hoggets to GR Prime for $125, 54kg 4tooth wethers to GR Prime for $124, ewes to restockers for $112
• Warrenfels Estate sold 1st X lambs 47.5kg and 44.2kg to GR Prime for $160 and $142, 41.5kg to Moniel Chad for $140
• Aaron & Candice Learoyd sold Dorper ewe hoggets 57.7kg to Jimbeau Farms for $202, 57.7kg 4 tooth ewes to Whites Trading for $130, 31kg lambs to Moniel Chad for $140, 20.5kg to Mark Palmer for $90
