Young weaners fetch up to 412c/kg at IRLX - Inverell Times

In total, 907 head were sold to several active buyers with a strong turn out from processors chasing the 483 cows on offer.

In spite of this competition, cows were down 25-30c/kg across the weight ranges on last week.

Medium cows sold 180c - 258c/kg, while heavy types made 221c - 268c/kg. The sale was reflective of the market trending towards normal after a bumper couple of weeks off the back of recent rain and increased retailer demand.

Competition came south from across the border with Grant Daniel & Long, St George, securing a pen of Santa Gertrudis cross steers for 398.30c/kg, returning $1,270/ head.

Below trade weight steers averaged 383c/kg and yearlings at 367c/kg.

A good pen of Angus cross cows and calves was sold by CL Squires & Co for $1,580/head, to show some confidence remains in the restocker market.

Shad Bailey, Colin Say & Co, was pleased with the results despite the market easing and noted the day ran well under the new COVID-19 restrictions.

"Even with numbers and prices decreasing on last week, young weaners were still selling over the four dollar mark," Mr Bailey said.

"Security measures were great, they minimised people in the laneways and on the catwalks.

"This ensured the safety of buyers and agents, and in turn provided a safeguard to continue selling here at IRLX."

Meanwhile, good quality lines of heavy mutton sold for up to $220/head while lighter mutton went for $120- $130/head at the Inverell Livestock Exchange (IRLX) fortnightly Sheep and Lamb Sale.

A smaller yarding of 315 lambs and 789 sheep went under the hammer with all the regular bidders in attendance.

Small numbers of good quality lines saw heavy lambs sell for up to $220/head, to a top of $222/head. Competition was weaker with unfinished lambs selling at $115 - $140/head.

A highlight sale came from the Grabham Family who sold 15 head of crossbred lambs to Thomas Foods for $220/head, weighing in at an average 55kgs each.

Support came from local buyers, as well as bidders from further afield such as Fletcher International, Dubbo, Hammond Australia, Dandenong, and Carey Brothers, Warwick.

Tom Oakes, CL Squires & Co, said everyone was pleased with the sale's outcome and worked together to adhere to the new COVID-19 measures.

"The day ran really well, all the truck drivers, buyers and agents cooperated, with plenty of space for people to keep at an acceptable distance," he said.

The next IRXL Sheep and Lamb Sale will be held on April 14.