A yarding of almost 600 head was presented on Thursday and prices were consistent with other recent sales. While buyer numbers were back slightly on last week, possibly because of the short working week, those who were there were keen to fill orders.
The offering included some older Friesian and Friesian-cross steers that weighed about 500kg and traded at $2.44-$2.55/kgLW, $1320-$1540. The better 18-month steers, 440-470kg, sold at $2.70-$2.85/kgLW, with most medium lots, 370-420kg, making $2.90-$3.10/kgLW. Lighter 18-month steers, 320-350kg, earned a similar rate.
Good autumn-born weaner steers, 250-270kg, returned $765-$855 and good-medium lots made $670-$710. Lighter weaner steers fetched $540-$600.
The bull section included some nice lines of autumn-born Friesians, which sold at more than $3/kgLW. One pen at 312kg earned $950 and another at 296kg $925. Friesian weaner bulls earned $615-$780.
Good 18-month heifers sold at about $2.70/kgLW, with most lots in the 360-390kg range making $980-$1050. Medium lots, 315-340kg, fetched a similar rate, selling at $840-$890.
The better whiteface weaner heifers traded at $590-$640, with mediums lots returning $480-$540.
Prices firmed slightly at Wednesday’s prime sale, with steers and heifers up by about 5c/kgLW and cows up by 10c/kgLW.
Most of the heavy steer offering sold at $2.69-$2.76/kgLW, with medium lots making $2.63-$2.68/kgLW, lighter steers $2.54-$2.60/kgLW. Heavy heifers returned $2.68-$2.75/kgLW, mediums $2.62-$2.66/kgLW. Cows were still coming out in reasonable numbers. Heavy lots sold at $1.82-$1.92/kgLW, medium $1.69-$1.79/kgLW, lighter $1.55-$1.65/kgLW.
Because of Easter the sheep sale was shifted to Tuesday but the yarding was very small and the market was on par with recent weeks. Most prime lambs sold at $86-$99.
