The R2 section was by far the biggest with steer and heifer numbers up, and prices reflected strong demand, particularly for the shorter-term types. Steers, 440-525kg, of good breeding sold for $2.72-$2.86/kg, with Hereford-Friesian making $1470. All other lines in this section earned more than $1000. Lesser types were fetching $2.47-$2.69/kg, though they were few and far between.
The better heifers ranged from $2.59 to $2.67/kg, though a line of Charolais-cross, 375kg, returned $1030, $2.75/kg. Friesian and dairy-cross lines made $2.14-$2.36/kg, while a line of run-with-the-bull Friesian cross, 295kg, realised $1.42/kg. R2 bull numbers were limited to just two lines, with Hereford-cross and Friesian, 420-490kg, making $2.57/kg.
Weaner prices were solid with steers filling most of the pens. Angus-cross, 200-279kg, fetched $510-$900, Hereford-Friesian and Hereford-cross, 150-270kg, $360-$720. Friesian and Friesian-cross lines, 165-255kg, sold at discounted levels of $380-$480. Heifers were all straight beef or dairy-beef, and earned $400-$710, while bulls traded at $300-$720.
The adult cattle section was very small with just a handful of R3 cattle and a few cows. Quality was limited in the R3 pens, though Hereford-cross heifers, 507kg, were the standout, selling for $1370 at $2.70/kg. Hereford cows with calves at foot went under the hammer for $1110.
A bigger offering of sheep met moderate demand though there was plenty of room for improvement. Store lambs were a mixed bunch, with rams making $40-$68.50, ewes $58, mixed-sex $19-$60. Prime lambs sold for $81, prime ewes $59.
