OUTSTANDING quality and condition at Inverell Regional Livestock Exchange (IRLX) Prime Cattle Sale on Tuesday, drew strong competition from buyers to drive prices higher.
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Tom Oakes, CL Squires & Co, said the spike in numbers and excellent condition of cattle was a sign of the good season producers in the region were having.
"We have had less numbers due to the dry season, but that seems to have broken and it is being reflected in the quality of stock," Mr Oakes said in a statement.
The 804 head yarding met a very motivated gallery including the usual buyers, as well as some additional exporters and local restockers, with active bidding across all grades.
"During times like this, where nationally we have low numbers, the auction system is definitely the place to be selling your cattle," Mr Oakes said.
"You can't get these prices direct from the processor, there is just so much competition in the market at the moment.
"While there wasn't as much weight on the cows this week, they sold to a dearer trend per kilogram."
Bucknell Grazing achieved 300.2c/kg or $2127/head on a pen of Angus cows, weighing 708kg, while the average-type made in the region of 280 to 290c/kg.
"Cows have been very strong for a while now and are performing well in the middle weight range, with some pens averaging around the 520 kilo mark and still making 300c/kg," Mr Oakes said.
Domestic heavy trade cattle lifted 20c/kg to make in the range of 360 to 380c/kg, while feedlot cattle averaged 10c/kg dearer.
Feedlot steers were fetching between 400 and 430c/kg, while their female counterparts made in the range of 380 to 400c/kg.
The top pen of steers made $2331.72/head, averaging 635kg, while a run of Angus heifers topped at $1504.01/head, weighing 371.2kg.
"There was not a lot of light weight cattle fit to go back to the paddock in the market but what was there sold very well between 430 and 480 cents per kilo," Mr Oakes said.
There were a few cow and calves, which was unexpected given the time of year which performed very well for their quality, making up to $2200/unit.
Doolin Agriculture achieved the top price of $3070.08/head for a Shorthorn bull which weighed 1040kg.
"The prices are very encouraging at the moment, so we would expect numbers to remain the same, and the quality to continue," Mr Oakes said.
