Meat and Livestock Australia reported reduced overall numbers at Gunnedah’s February 7 sale due to “the recent wave of extreme heat”.

Local livestock agent James Bradford said it was a good buyer’s market at the moment but the high temperatures were taking a toll.

“The hot, dry conditions is pushing some people to sell,” Mr Bradford said. “They can lose weight very quickly.

“But other people prefer to leave their stock alone during the heat.”

Cows made up a quarter of the penning, with young cattle suitable to restock, driving demand. 

He said conditions throughout the north west region were generally holding up ok, but it was far from consistent.

“It’s very patchy,” he said.

“You drive 10km one way and it could be great.

“But others areas are pretty ordinary.”

National Livestock Reporting Service operations manager Damon Holmes said numbers were generally down across the region and prices had adjusted accordingly.

In Gunnedah, about 2300 head were yarded earlier this year but just 1650 last week. 

Tamworth was also in decline from 1850 head in January to a mere 1200-head last sale.

Mr Holmes said it was crunch time for many producers.

“With temperatures the way they’ve been, it’s now a week-to-week thing,” he said.

“They’re figuring out are they going to take the money and run or watch the market and hope for a few showers to get them through.”

Temperatures on the north west slopes and plains were forecast to ease slightly around mid February but minimal rainfall was expected for the remainder of the month.