Wow what a month we have seen. With widespread rain throughout all of the eastern states of Australia we have seen some fire in our livestock markets. With this wide spread rain we have seen numbers restrict further in the sheep and cattle markets which intern has had positive gains in prices.

In the cattle market we are noticing a purely supply and demand driven market, with numbers low through all grades we are seeing restocking and feeder steers making from $3.40 to $3.80 c/kg, feeder and restocking heifers are making in excess of $3.00 c/kg and up to $3.50c/kg. On the export front we have seen some great gains with heavy steers and bullocks back over the $3.00 c/kg mark and up to $3.25c/kg, and cow supply has tightened and seen most grades receiving promising gains with the best of your heavy cows making up to $2.50 c/kg. I believe this cattle market for the next month will stay considerably strong as long as numbers stay low and demand keeps high.

To the sheep and lamb markets, hold onto your hats because things are really heating up, but for how long? With the lamb market we are seeing very strong gains in both domestic and export markets with most domestic and export processors offering over the hook rates in excess of $6.00 c/kg and in the saleyards we are seeing the best heavy trade and light export lambs making from $145 and up to $170 and the extra heavy lambs making up to $230.

The mutton market has rallied on to sky high rates with most mutton making in excess of $4.00c/kg and in the yards with the best of the heavy mutton making up to $170 for full wool heavy merino ewes and wethers.

So until next month let’s hope for these strong prices to continue. For any other information on market trends or marketing options don’t hesitate to call.

By Adam Chudleigh

Week ending: 2 June 2016
With just over 34,000 bales offered nationally, the results for the week were largely reflective of supply. For Merino Fleece that meant a focus on the small volume of 20.1 and broader, which resulted in a slight firming over the two days. Meanwhile the larger portion of the Merino Fleece sector, which was in the finer microns, proved to be a drag on the market. The better types (stylish/40nkt) still managed good results and were in line with last week but the lower spec types had unconvincing support and were generally 10 to 20 cents cheaper.

“Room2” types also found good demand on limited volume. Merino Skirtings were mostly unchanged on the previous sale with Beststyle/low VM types maintaining recent buyer enthusiasm. Merino Carding recorded strong results with increases of 5-20 cents. Crossbreds had a mixed outing with increases in some microns being balanced out by losses elsewhere. Next week’s offering of 28,594 bales, will be the smallest sale in 12months.

McClintock Central West Machinery Centre has your best range of Case IH Agricultural tractors, and they currently have five different models in stock. The Magnum is the latest range of fuelefficient yet powerful machinery, and they are great for minimizing operating costs as a consequence.

With a robust design that is in pace to handle tough conditions, these tractors are highly reliable, and will increase productivity on the farm. The five models available at McClintock’s range in power from 250-horse power all the way up to 380 horse power. The models are the Magnum 250, 280, 310, 340 and 380.

For farmers that like to do their work after sunset, the Magnums can also come with an optional 360-degree lighting enhancement, and with a split throttle control system, operators can select their working speeds and revolutions per minute.

The friendly staff at McClintock’s will help you with all of your machinery needs. They are located on Angus Clarke Drive, just off the Parkes Road.

Forbes Small Engines are now in their 28th year of business. Located at 25 Union Street, owners Paul and Maree Westcott are keen to promote their Polaris tax time deals now available in store. “We’re dealers for Polaris ATV’s and side by side Rangers and have been since the early 90’s and our range includes more than fifteen different Polaris models – from the kids Outlaw 50cc to a 1000 Diesel Ranger there is one to suit your needs” said Maree

“We’ve got a POLARIS Hawkeye 325 heavy duty for only $5995 ride away and we’re offering a free bar and side rail kit on our heavy duty POLARIS 570 Ute, plus the Polaris Ace 325 and Ace 570 are another popular model in our Polaris range. Priced at $7999 the Ace 325 has been a very popular choice” said Maree.

Forbes Small Engines’ qualified mechanics carry out all engine repairs and undertake regular training and conferences to keep uptodate with the most recent product developments. Other popular brands include Husqvarna, Kohler Expert Dealer, Echo Saws and Cox Ride on mowers. The shop stocks a variety of other brands and the showroom is always heavily stocked with a great range to suit you.

Need finance? Forbes Small Engines provide that too! An ABN is required for the Polaris Finance and it is a very simple process. If you’d like to know more about the finance options, feel free to give them a ring on 6852 3228. The team strive to give customers the best possible service, advice and repairs to all types of small engines including motorcycles, lawn mowers, brush cutters, chainsaws, edgers and pumps. Call in to 25 Union Street and meet the “Small Engine” team.

Forbes Sheep Sale

Conducted 12/04/2016

Yarded 27967 including 22944 lambs. Prime lambs, especially heavies were again well supplied. The reduced numbers helped to hold prices close to last week’s rates and prices were similar. Light lambs eased $2 to $3 bot all grades of slaughter sold at unchanged rates to slightly better in places for the heavy export lambs. Merino lambs were fully firm compared to last weeks sale.

Trade weight Lambs (18 to 22kg)
$102.00 to $129.00

Heavy Lambs (23 to 26kg)
$128.00 to $142.00

Extra Heavy Lambs (over 26kg)
$146.00 to $177.00

Store Lambs
$75.00 to $108.00

Heavy Merino lambs
$128.00 to $145.00

Trade weight Merino Lambs
$95.00 to $126.00

Hoggets
$84.00 to $105.20

There were 5023 grown sheep yarded prices were $3 to $5 below last weeks dearer rates.

Shorn Merino Wethers
$75.00 to $103.00

Merino Ewes
$72.00 to $109.00

XB Ewes
$80.00 to $123.00

Light Sheep
$27.00 to $68.00

Merino Rams
$70.00 To $110.00

Forbes Cattle Sale

Conducted 11/04/2016

There were 2335 yarded. Increased numbers included more plainer grades and all descriptions eased as expected. Prime yearlings were 10c a kilo cheaper but the feeder types dropped 15-20c. Heavy steers were back 10c and cows eased as much as 15-25c compared to last week’s sale.

Prime yearling steers up to 440kgs
278.0c to 310.0c

Prime yearling heifers up to 440kgs
247.0c to 288.0c

Feeder steers
285.0c to 315.0c

Heavy Steers over 500kgs
270.0c to 288.0c

Heavy steers over 600kgs

Heavy Heifers
245.0c to 267.0c

Cows – 2 score
176.0c to 212.0c

Cows – 3 score
200.0c to 225.0c

Heavy Bulls
to 255.0c

VCR Livestock Marketing Service’s Scott Reid said recent pig sales have been a
success in Forbes, with pig numbers and prices being on par with expectations for this time of the year. About 650 pigs lined up for the most recent pig sale last Friday, with different types of pigs selling at different prices.

Small pigs sold for about $10 per head cheaper than average, but the grown pig, bacon and pork markets sold at firm prices, according to Mr Reid. He added the best sow pigs sold for between $1.40 and $1.80 per kilo, sold at live
weight, while boars sold for between $0.25 and $0.75 per kilo, again at live weight.

Both bacon and pork were sold per head, with prices varying depending on the quality of the pig. Mr Reid said the best bacon pigs were sold for $300 each, while the best pork pigs went out for about $190 each. However, he added there was a wide variety of selling prices, with bacon pigs selling from $150 upwards, while pork pigs went out the door from $100 upwards.

Mr Reid said each statistic from the sale showed the pig market was operating
as one would expect for this time of the year. “The pig market is strongest around Christmas time,” he said. “Prices have eased off since Easter, but
this is normally the cheapest time of year for pigs as the demand is lower.”

“Having said that we’ll expect the prices of sows and bores to come back up during the winter period, but the other types of pigs should stay similar to what they are currently.” The next pig sale will be next Friday, April 14.

Week ending: 23 March 2016
Wool sales were held in a Tues-Wed pattern this week due to the looming
Good Friday public holiday. Also of note was a showcase auction held in the Northern Region with buyers and brokers temporarily relocating to the Sydney Royal Easter Show’s purposebuilt facility.

After a turnaround in sentiment last week, the market continued its rebound
at this sale. Tuesday’s sale started off reasonably tentative with prices up by 5cents in Melbourne, however Sydney and Fremantle gave a more optimistic signal when they finished as much as 15cents dearer. The final day, followed suit and another 10 to 20cents was added to valuations. The 12cent rise in the AWEX-EMI was largely a result of the renewed support in the Merino Fleece sector with competition for the other catalogues less enthusiastic.

The next wool sales will be held after the annual one-week Easter recess and will include a showcase auction at the IWTO conference in the Sydney
CBD.