Store lamb numbers dropped slightly to 2570 and all types were sought after. Shorn lambs made a premium but prices were consistently strong across the board. A small top end sold for $112-$116, but most of the trading happened at $82-$109, with just over 320 head smaller types at $70-$79.
Three lines of breeding ewes were also offered and strong demand for annual draft Romney-cross meant they were pushed to $180, while 5-year Perendale from one property returned $140-$152.
A bigger yarding of prime lambs sold on a firm market as prices improved $2-$4. Just 10 lambs sold below $110 and most were well spread between $110 and $159.
Ewe’s held at the high levels of late and it took a very light or off-type ewe to trade below $112. Light ewes traded at $96-$119, with medium types earning $120-$166 and good types, $174-$187. There was still a handful that pushed over $200 to $210-$250.
Most of the store cattle action was in the R2 heifer pens where a consignment of Hereford-Friesian held centre stage. Better quality lines in the 301-376kg range eased to $2.71-$2.84/kg, with Murray Grey also slotting in that range. Angus and Angus-cross, 354-363kg, realised $2.84-$2.85/kg. Small lines dominated the steer pens but a standout of 10 Hereford-cross, 388kg, achieved $3.08/kg, with second cuts of Hereford-cross and Hereford-Friesian earning $2.89/kg. A light consignment of Friesian bulls, 262-291kg, sold for $2.84-$2.89/kg, while Angus-cross, 381kg, looked buy-able at $2.36/kg.
Weaner numbers were low and of mixed quality. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 153-164kg, sold for $410-$520, and heavier Hereford-cross, 143-193kg, $525-$570. Friesian steers, 145-174kg, returned $440-$530, while the bulls, 156-246kg, fetched $520-$610.
Prime cattle prices were consistent throughout, with a steady to firm tone to the market. Beef and exotic steers, 610-675kg, firmed to $2.86/kg, while the top heifers, 467-588kg, earned $2.75-$2.83/kg. Dairy heifer results were solid, with better types making $2.05-$2.06/kg, and 338-362kg, $1.62-$1.78/kg.
Heavy prime bulls sold to $2.90-$2.97/kg, while the best of the cows made $2.00-$2.22/kg.
