Three hundred store cattle were offered in spring-like conditions and sold on a buoyant market, with something for everyone. Heavy R3 steers kicked off proceedings with demand from Manawatu strong. Those weighing 755-785kg sold at $2200-$2240, $2.85/kg, 500-550kg $1400-$1650, $2.85-$2.97/kg. Friesian-cross lines earned $1200-$1300, $2.70/kg. R2 steers sold freely with most beef-cross lines fetching $2.90-$3.20/kg, Friesian-cross $2.60/kg. The strength continued into the heifer market, where those around 300kg traded at $750-$950, top lines up to $2.90/kg. Very few lines sold for less than $2.80/kg. Empty dairy heifers returned $750-$1150, $2-$2.40/kg.
A consignment of autumn-born R1 Hereford-Friesian steers and heifers had all the weight of the older cattle. Steers, 337-381kg, made $1130-$1200, $3.14-$3.35/kg. Their sisters were 292-328kg, and sold just as well at $970-$1080, $3.29-$3.32/kg. Lighter steers cracked $4/kg, with 170kg Hereford-Friesian selling for $700, 245kg $900. The rest of the heifers were Hereford-cross, with 133kg making $550, 200-280kg $650-$790.
A small offering of cows sold to solid demand. Beef lines, 440-635kg, earned $1.90-$2.13/kg, heavy boners $2-$2.05/kg, medium $1.80-$2/kg.
A small offering of dairy cattle sold on a firm market. Heavy in-calf dairy heifers fetched $1000-$1200, medium $800-$1000, light $750. Cows sold to $1200.
