A good bench of buyers turned out, with a few new faces in the crowd. Prices for most classes of cattle were consistent with other recent sales, but yearling steers were up by $50-$60 on the previous week.
The offering included some 30-month dairy-beef steers, 455-498kg, which traded at $2.75-$2.85/kg, $1300-$1400. The best of the 2-year steers, 420-460kg, sold at $2.88-$3/kg, $1240-$1330, 15-month lots, 320-370kg, $2.90-$3.24/kg, $1050-$1200.
Good 1-year steers at 200-265kg sold well, earning $890-$1010. The next cut at 162-180kg returned $750-$850.
A small entry of bulls included one pen of Limousins at 414kg, which sold at $1100.
In the heifer section, 2-year lots at 380-435kg traded at $2.70-$2.77/kg, $975-$1210, 15-month heifers, 300-340kg, $2.80-$3/kg, $900-$960. A handful of yearling heifers, 160-170kg, fetched $640-$700.
Wednesday’s prime sale drew about 300 cattle. Prices for steers increased by 5-6c/kg on last week, with heavy lots earning $2.85-$2.93/kg. Medium lots sold at $2.78-$2.83/kg, lighter steers $2.65-$2.74/kg. Heifer prices were also slightly stronger, lifting by about 4-5c/kg. Heavier lots returned $2.80-$2.87/kg, medium heifers $2.68-$2.75/kg.
A small entry of beef cows traded at $2.08-$2.20/kg. Boner cow numbers continue to decline, with heavier lots selling at $1.91-$2.09/kg, medium $1.80-$1.88/kg, lighter $1.57-$1.70/kg. A small number of heavy bulls fetched $2.74-$2.85/kg.
A small-medium yarding of sheep was presented on Monday and prices were consistent with other recent sales. Heavy prime lambs sold at $107-$124, medium $90-$105, lighter $85-$90. Prime ewes earned $60-$75.
