There were plenty of prime lambs for buyers to get stuck into, with volume only slightly down on the previous week. The market was a carbon copy, with a handful of lines making $200-$203, and few to be found under $120. A lesser number sold for $190-$199, but bids were very consistent at $130-$188.
More competition in the prime ewe pens meant another successful day for vendors. As scanned dries start to come out they are adding more size to the yarding, and coupled with a firm market a good portion sold for $160-$186, with the next cut earning $130-$157. Just a small number traded below that level, with most still making $116-$129.
Fewer than 1000 store lambs were offered and buyers had to work to secure lines. The majority sold for $120-$129, with all bar 10 of the balance making $110-$119.
Prime cattle prices eased as space is proving hard to find. The top line of steers, 641kg, could only manage $2.61/kg, while those 438-573kg eased to $2.47-$2.54/kg. Heifer prices fell further and dairy lines, 385-395kg, eased to $1.57/kg, while 369-378kg fell further to $1.30-$1.40/kg.
R2 heifers more than dominated the store section, making up 80% of it. Two vendors sold all lines – one from Mackenzie Basin offering up all the Hereford-Friesian, and the other vendor selling all the Hereford-cross. Most of the Hereford-cross weighed in at 331-392kg and sold for just $2.38-$2.45/kg, while Hereford-Friesian traded in two main price bands – $2.32-$2.37/kg for 379-381kg and $2.40-$2.49/kg for 342-346kg. These prices were softer than recent levels as interest was limited.
