Gunnedah Cattle Market Report: A Decrease in Yardings Amid Dry Season Challenges

File Image: Selling action at the Gunnedah Saleyards.

Market Overview

Yarding: 3,400 Change: -3,000

This week, Gunnedah experienced a noticeable reduction in cattle yardings, with 3,400 cattle scanned—3,000 head lower than the previous week. The quality of the cattle varied, with an increasing number of plainer conditioned cattle likely due to the ongoing dry season. Major buyers remained active throughout the auction, particularly for prime cattle destined for processing, while competition for store cows returning to the paddock was noticeably limited.

Cattle Pricing Insights

Prime Cattle

Prices for prime yearling cattle held steady in the trade market, with steers fetching between 440c to 485c/kg and heifers receiving 350c to 434c/kg.

Feeder Cattle

Feeder steers and heifers saw a overall price decline compared to the previous week. Steers were priced between 370c and 524c/kg, while heifers ranged from 300c to 410c/kg. Young cattle offered to restockers faced considerable reductions, with light steers priced between 375c and 486c/kg and heifers from 266c to 396c/kg.

Grown Steers and Cows

While prime grown steers available for processing were limited, grown heifers reached prices up to 416c/kg. Secondary cows for processing were down more than 25c, selling within a range of 196c to 346c/kg, while the prime heavyweight cows remained stable, making from 345c to 368c/kg. Bulls commanded prices of up to 360c/kg.

Source: Hamish Hosegood, MLA Gunnedah