Lambs were evenly split between the store and prime pens and a dominant Mid Canterbury buyer helped lift the store lamb market. Heavy mixed sex made $170-$174, with good types lifting to $155-$166. Medium lines returned $133-$154 and lighter, $125-$155.
Prime lamb prices almost started where the stores finished off, with the majority trading at $160-$225. A bigger entry of prime ewes was easily absorbed at the consistent levels buyers have come to know well. Very heavy types sold to $260-$268, with medium-good to good steady at $156-$185. Light-medium ewes made $119-$137, and medium, $140-$154.
Improving schedule prices and grass growth meant a mostly positive cattle sale of both prime and store.
Heavier steers did soften, though were still strong at $2.80-$2.95/kg. Forward stores were the highlight though with most trading at $3.00-$3.10/kg for all breeds.
An increased number of local trade buyers lifted the heifer market and Angus-cross, 406-502kg, improved to $2.90-$3.05/kg, while Hereford-cross, 423-616kg returned $2.77-$2.93/kg.
Good contracts offered for steers added more depth to the buying bench, with two to three buyers competing on the older pens. Angus and Angus-Hereford, 423-493kg, lifted to $3.22-$3.29/kg, while lighter Angus-Hereford made $3.36-$3.45/kg, easily bettering the R1 prices.
Buyers were more selective in the R1 pens. Heifers almost outpriced the steers as quality was better and Hereford-Friesian, 212-254kg, made $730-$800, while 269kg steers fetched $835. A few good lines of Angus-cross and Limousin-cross steers, 270-292kg, did manage $900-$930.
