No rush to sell store and prime lambs is also driving prices in the sheep pens.
A total yarding of 4000 sheep mainly consisted of prime lambs and ewes, with store lamb numbers very low at 1000 head. The mainly mixed sex line up was on the small side, with a large portion lighter lambs that traded at $57-$65, with better types up to $68-$85. A small offering of very good male lambs sold to strong demand, with two good lines making $83-$90.
Schedule prices for lambs are buoyant and that was reflected in the prime pens. No lines sold under $80, with the bulk earning $90-$109, and a good sized heavy end, $110-$126. The ewe market followed suit and prices held recent high levels. The majority sold for $70-$109, while a small offering of breeding ewes saw the tops make $104-$112, and smaller lines, $72-$90.
Demand for prime cattle just keeps climbing with numbers slow to processors. All types are sought after, and steers maintained recent high levels, with a big offering of Hereford-Friesian, 575-715kg, earning $2.73-$2.83/kg, and smaller numbers of Angus, 570-655kg, at $2.80-$2.97/kg. Few other lines sold out of this range. Hereford bulls, 484-677kg, made $2.59-$2.64/kg, while Friesian, 451-544kg, returned $2.58-$2.65/kg, and Jersey, 415-595kg, $2.45-$2.69/kg. Very heavy Hereford and Angus sold to $2.80-$2.89/kg. Angus heifers, 510-535kg, returned a premium at $2.90-$2.95/kg, while empty Friesian heifers, 334-409kg, were firm at $2.37-$2.45/kg. Friesian cow prices firmed, and top lines traded at $1.91-$2.02/kg, with the next cut earning $1.80-$1.90/kg, and third, $1.65-$1.75/kg. Beef cow numbers were low, and the top lines sold to $2.09-$2.12/kg.
