Prime cattle numbers were limited with Hereford steers, 495-605kg making $2.63-$2.74/kg, while one Hereford bull sold for $2220, $2.54/kg. Run-with-the-bull Shorthorn heifers tipped the scales at 630kg and made $2.06/kg. R3 cattle were of good weight and met strong demand, with steers trading at $2.65-$2.72/kg for 570-615kg, with local trade types at $2.52-$2.59/kg. Bulls mainly earned $2.59-$2.65/kg, though one line of Herefords managed $2.91/kg. Heifers were mainly dairy-cross, though sold well. Hereford-cross and Friesian, 515-555kg, fetched $2.48-$2.57/kg, Jersey-cross, 515-560kg, $2.27-$2.35/kg.
Empty Friesian heifers sold for $1.87-$2.19/kg, Jersey, 295kg, $1.36/kg. In-calf cow prices eased significantly with Hereford and Simmental-cross selling for $1.91-$1.95/kg, run-with-the-bull Shorthorn $1.55-$1.97/kg. Lighter-weight empty Angus and Charolais made $1.71-$1.79/kg, Hereford-Friesian, 645kg, $1.93/kg. In-calf Friesian and Friesian-cross cows sold for $1.55-$1.72/kg, Jersey $1.25/kg. Empty Friesian cows sold on a softer market with 358-525kg making $1.40-$1.67/kg, Jersey and Jersey-cross at $1.23-$1.34/kg.
Buyers were spoilt for choice for R2 cattle with another good yarding of steers and heifers, and while prices didn’t quite stack up to last week’s fair, the market was still strong. Better beef-cross steers traded at $1000-$1300 with top price going to 445kg Hereford-cross. With buyers focusing on quality cattle to winter, the better types earned $2.70-$2.78/kg, while next cut sold for $2.54-$2.68/kg. Heifer prices eased a fraction though the better lines were still selling well. Hereford-Friesian, 430kg, topped the section at $1065, with the better lines making $2.47-$2.55/kg. Hereford cross and Friesian bulls, 280-310kg, sold for $2.67-$2.82/kg, while 15-month Friesian bulls were heavier at 433kg and made $2.71/kg.
Weaner numbers were low and prices mixed depending on quality and size. Hereford-Friesian steers, 110kg, sold for $510, $4.64/kg, while heifers sold for $410-$495. Hereford cross and Saler-Angus earned $500-$600. Jerseys carried more weight but made $300-$500.
The sheep pens were busier with a few more ewes added to the books, though prices were low. Run-with-the-ram sold for $61, 4-tooth $50. In the store lamb pens ram and wether lambs made $60-$84, ewe lambs $55-$75, mixed sex $16-$70. Prime hoggets fetched $58, mixed-age rams and wethers $15-$50.
