Mareeba combined agents penned a total of 449 head at this week's prime and store cattle sale.
Numbers increased by 127 head on the previous week. Values improved on prime cattle.
Cattle from the Mossman Show were a highlight of the day, with the best of the bullocks making 14c/kg more than on the previous sale. The champion female cracked the 240c/kg mark and the best cows made 224c.
Bulls didn't hit the top of 268c from last week. The yarding consisted of 154 steers averaging 230c selling to a top of 270c, up 14c, 104 bulls averaging 177c selling to a top of 264c, up 6c, 118 cows averaging 185c selling to a top of 243c, up 4c, 64 heifers averaging 168c selling to a top of 241c, back 2c.
The value for slaughter cattle is set to rise as the supply of finished cattle starts to taper off. However, there is a good opportunity for re-stockers to buy, with values for store steers and heifers struggling.
The usual group of local wholesale buyers, meat processors and local traders were present.
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