Ewe numbers eased back, but what was available sold to expectation given the relative strength of mutton schedules right now. Most good condition ewes were $69-$79, with medium types $63-$69 and lighter lines generally $55-$66. Heavier prime lambs went mainly for $78-$89, easing to $69.50-$73 for forward-store lines.
Cattle numbers were slim with only steers coming out in any sort of volume. All but one line of steers made $2.65-$2.75/kg, while some beef-type cows made $1.88-$1.89/kg.
A lack of local buying power due to the dry conditions meant store lambs stayed at the same lows reached the week beforehand. Nearly half the offering were medium male lambs which traded at $55-$60. Heavy lines didn’t fare much better, generally making $57-$71.50. Lighter and medium conditioned mixed age ewes made $55-$65.
There was a big yarding of store cattle available, but the market for these held up reasonably well all things considered. Two-year steers met decent interest as traditional 480-513kg made $2.89-$3.00/kg with similar 568-655kg at $2.80-$2.89/kg. Two-year traditional and Hereford-Friesian heifers 447-491kg made $1185-$1290, or $2.63-$2.66/kg.
One-year cattle felt most of the weakness as per kilo rates generally weren’t far off older cattle. Angus steers 314-368kg traded at $950-$1092, while 400-416kg were $1170-$1235. Yearling Angus heifers 275-302kg went for $800-$892 and Hereford-Friesian 232-288kg achieved $660-$770.
Weaner calves were in short supply, but Friesian bull lines were consistent at $447-$490 for 105-119kg.
