Gunnedah Saleyards Market Report: Weekly Update

File image: Selling action at the Gunnedah Saleyards.

Market Overview

Yarding: 4550 Change: +250

This week’s yarding shows an increase of 240 from the previous market, totaling an impressive 4550 animals. The quality of the offerings was notably high, with prime heavyweight cows well-suited for processors, and a good selection of steers and heifers catering to both feeders and backgrounders. The market displayed a downward trend with prime young cattle for processors, contrasting with price increases observed for better-quality cattle among feeders and backgrounders. The absence of a major cow buyer likely played a role in the reduced prices for cows this week.

Cattle Prices

Young Cattle

Prices for young cattle destined for trade saw a decline, with prime vealer and yearling steers selling between 418c and 499c per kilogram. Heifers in the same category were priced from 360c to 476c per kilogram. Conversely, feeder steers and heifers experienced increases of up to 30c per kilogram, with steers ranging from 450c to 524c per kilogram and feeder heifers from 395c to 468c per kilogram. Lightweight young cattle for restocking and backgrounding firms brought prices from 400c to 580c for steers and 378c to 452c for heifers.

Grown Cattle

In the grown category, processors noted decreases of up to 30c per kilogram. Prime grown steers were sold for between 406c and 445c per kilogram, while prime grown heifers brought in between 378c and 452c per kilogram. Cow prices were similarly lower, with two and three-score cows selling from 280c to 396c per kilogram, and prime heavyweight four-score cows 10c per kilogram cheaper at a range of 390c to 420c per kilogram. Interestingly, heavy bulls to processors saw a price rise of up to 30c per kilogram, reaching 384c per kilogram.

Source: Peter Dundon, MLA Gunnedah