Sheep, lambs, cattle and wool are all enjoying very solid returns with reduced offerings in all categories putting pressure on processors.

At the sales at Dubbo last Monday (March 27), the agents only managed to yard just over 20,000 sheep and lambs.

All pens met with very strong competition.

One could observe the processors desire to secure stock by noting the number of big rigs lined up at the loading ramps even before the sale started.

Market reporter David Monk quoted most lines as much dearer.

The pens enjoying some of the best gains were the very plainest of the old mutton on offer.

Bare shorn old ewes, no skin value, weigh next to nothing, achieving $70.00 plus seemed like a good price to the writer.

Dubbo agents drew for 3535 cattle at a yarding that attracted a large gallery of buyers on Thursday March 30.

The overall market was considerably stronger for what was a very attractive line-up of cattle suitable for processors, feed-lots and re-stockers, all competing in a strong show of confidence.

Receiving yards at some major slaughter sheds on the northern east coast are  under water with localised flooding causing real concern.

Most sheds in the processing sector finished work before lunch on Thursday and workers were sent home.

How things change. It was only two to three weeks ago that 87 per cent of Queensland was drought declared.

Now we have a rain event, the magnitude of which is rarely seen in this country.

Vendors are reminded Dubbo and the other selling centres will probably miss sale days in April due to public holidays.

My understanding is Dubbo will miss sales on Thursday April 13 (prime cattle) and Monday April 17 (prime sheep and lambs).

There will be a cattle sale on Monday April 20 followed by a store cattle sale on April 21.

My information is Dubbo will have a sheep sale on April 24, the day before Anzac Day.

Other selling centres will be similarly impacted by public holidays.

Normally the days the processors miss because of public holidays throw the game into turmoil.

This time it may be a blessing as all sectors struggle to find enough stock to process on a regular full-week basis.

Many sheds have been missing days and shifts as numbers dwindle.

The torrential rain in the north will also impact on the availability of supplies with sales there already being cancelled.