With special days for the younger cattle, they were largely missing from the small line-up of 200, and most other cattle came forward in line sizes of 3-6 head.
The market was solid on the back of the low numbers, and R3 beef-Friesian steers, 473-553kg, made $2.56-$2.63/kg, while their younger brothers, 390-433kg, returned $2.69-$2.73/kg. In the heifer pens R2 Hereford-cross, and Hereford-Friesian, sold on a better market, and at 330-401kg, earned $2.48-$2.52/kg, with a lighter line at 330kg, managing $2.67/kg. A small offering of R2 bulls sold with mixed results, and Jersey-cross was the best seller on the day, making $2.52/kg for 480kg.
The first of the dairy-beef weaner fairs was held on Tuesday, with 1354 steers and heifers offered. The dry summer meant that calves did not have the weight of the previous year, but were still a quality line up for the annual buyers on the bench.
Autumn-born lines were well sought after, and with the yarding predominately Hereford-Friesian, these gave a good indicator of prices. Heavier weaner prices were back on 2016 fair prices, with Hereford-Friesian steers, 190-250kg, making $710-$790, while 200-240kg heifers returned $600-$670. Medium types however held their value, and steers, 120-160kg, made $600-$670, while 108-110kg were steady at $480-$560. Lighter Hereford-Friesian heifers were harder to move and at 81-120kg, made $342-$465, while 184-185kg sold for $560-$570.
The top steer price was $960 for a small line of 346kg Charolais-cross, with their 308kg sisters taking top honours in the heifer section at $805.
Wednesday played host to the dairy-beef weaner bull fair, and numbers dropped significantly on the previous year’s tally to 488, with fewer beef-cross in the offering. Demand was good for the autumn-born, and better weaner bulls, though the market was harder going for lesser quality, mixed-breed lines. Hereford bulls, 253-295kg, made $1040-$1190 to go to the dairy herds, while heavy autumn-born Friesian bulls sold on a softer market, with 206-240kg making $660-$795. Prices improved for the good quality 120-150kg lines, which went under the hammer for $550-$640.
