GRAZIERS have clamoured to the region's saleyards in recent weeks, eager to restock their paddocks after welcome rainfall.
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Prices have spiked across the board at both cattle and lamb sales, providing great results for sellers.
Gunnedah's February 4 sale was a prime example of the price boom, as lighter steers rose from between $1.50-$2 a kilogram, to more than $3.50 a kilogram.
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Manilla stock agent Sam Plevey said the price rise had been several weeks in the making.
"I think prices have been on a pretty steady rise for the last six to eight weeks," Mr Plevey said.
"We always knew it would come if we got the kind of widespread rain we're enjoying at the moment.
"Luckily everyone is getting under some decent rain clouds at the moment and it I think it will benefit both buyers and sellers."
Mr Plevey said the majority of buyers were restockers, eager to build up their herds.
"The beauty of this rain is that it will have allowed a little bit of feed to sprout up," he said.
"Therefore, those lighter cattle are in a good position to be finished off.
"Kill cattle prices have been pretty steady and I expect that to continue, but I think more rain will be needed to help keep the lighter cattle market going."
The region's lamb prices have followed a similar path to cattle prices, noting an upward trend due to recent rain.
McCulloch Agencies stock agent Mitchell Swain said Tamworth's lamb sales had attracted "plenty of interest" from across the state.
"I think the recent rain in the western parts of the state has really helped spur this recent spike in prices," Mr Swain said.
"In terms of locals, I don't think the interest from guys around Tamworth and the New England has really picked up just yet.
"I think that is more likely to really pick up in the coming weeks, especially if this rain continues to hang around the district."
Mr Swain said the recent rain had provided "a mental lift" for local farmers.
"There's certainly been a lot more enthusiasm around the markets recently," he said.
"I don't think anyone is getting too far ahead of themselves, because we know how quickly it can turn back to what it was. However, it certainly feels like we've turned a corner."
Mr Plevey said he believed the market would continue to strengthen in the coming weeks.
"Long-term, I think restockers will begin returning to the market," he said.
"Recently, the usual buyers haven't had too much competition at the market because of the lack of feed.
"Now with this rain, I think more people will be looking to restock, which should hopefully help keep prices strong."