Between 5c/kg and 10c/kg was added to the majority of the prime steer market, with big gains through the lighter types. The core of the traditional and exotics were 550-635kg, making $3.04-$3.11/kg. Other steers at similar weights were $2.96-$3.00/kg. High yielding options, 645-710kg, nearly all made $3.04-$3.12/kg. Beef-cross steers, 500-555kg, were regularly bought at $2.98-$3.07/kg, though some 440-500kg forward-store lines were up to $3.08-$3.13/kg.
The heaviest and lightest heifers really took off. Belgium Blue and Limousin-cross, 560-675kg, easily matched the steer market at $3.06-$3.13/kg. Two large lines of 430-460kg forward-store Angus heifers sold at an impressive $3.01-$3.02/kg. More standard heifers were steady or a touch harder to shift. As a general rule 470-545kg beef-cross and some Belgium Blue heifers were $2.84-$2.95/kg.
Two Friesian cows sold roughly to the same level as past weeks, with the heavier 625kg cow making $2.04/kg.
In typical mid-winter fashion there was only limited options in the sheep pens. Most lines sold to a similar or slightly softer market to a week ago.
Mixed quality and breeding saw a small decrease in pricing in the store lambs. Good and heavy pens of all sexes were mainly $159-$165, while mediums were $146-$156. A few light lambs made $132-$141.
It was another firm prime lamb auction, with the median price remaining locked in at $189/hd. Top lambs were comfortably clocking in above $200, with mediums floating around $180-$200. Anything that was prime rather than forward-store was at least $170.
Prime ewes were restricted to the smallest selection since early April. Sales sat at the same level as last week as anything half-decent made $140-$170 and heavy lines were $180-$239. Light ewes were mainly $110-$138.
