Market Update: Cattle Yarding at Gunnedah Saleyards

File image: Selling action at the Gunnedah Saleyards.

Current Yarding Overview

Total Yarding: 3815 cattle | Change: -1385 head

The latest sale at Gunnedah Saleyards recorded a significant reduction in the number of cattle, with 3815 quality animals penned, down by 1385 head. Regular buyers were present, though trends indicated a noticeable decrease across most categories.

Price Trends

Light yearling steers intended for backgrounding faced a downward shift, with prices ranging from 420c to 481c/kg. Steers under 330kg also declined, now selling between 455c and 472c/kg. Similar feeder steers saw slight decreases, priced from 380c to 486c/kg.

Medium weight background steers dropped by 29c/kg, priced at 372c to 489c/kg, while feeders recorded a loss of 34c/kg, now ranging from 376c to 520c/kg. However, 480kg feeders only decreased by 19c/kg to a price point of 395c to 510c/kg, contrasting with backgrounders which saw an 18c/kg increase, now valued at 472c to 478c/kg.

Processor steers gained momentum with a 20c/kg rise to reach 440c to 480c/kg. Light background heifers saw a minor decrease of 2c/kg, selling for 420c to 452c/kg, while feeders dropped 5c/kg to a maximum of 462c/kg. Medium feeders experienced a larger decline, losing 24c/kg to range between 350c and 456c/kg, with background drafts priced up to 26c/kg cheaper. Medium processor heifers significantly declined, now selling at 370c to 460c/kg.

Other Categories

Grown heifers over 540kgs have seen prices ranging from 400c to 456c/kg. Three and four score cows marked a significant drop, with prices falling to 275c to 395c/kg, back by 28c to 35c/kg. Heavy bulls similarly reflected a downward trend, now priced between 300c and 376c/kg.

Source: Stephen Adams, MLA