The hogget fair stole the limelight from the sheep and as a result sales either side of it lacked numbers, though none more so than Friday’s sheep sale. Just over 1000 store lambs were penned, but they covered a wide spread of weights. One very heavy line of cryptorchids sold to $208, but most other males earned $138-$157. Interest was limited for mixed sex and prices eased. The bulk sat in a $126-$149 range with lighter types earning $97-$116. The ewe lamb section was more consistent and all bar two lines sold for $132-$146, with $125 for the last two completing the sale.
Ewes with lambs-at-foot also reduced in number and the market had a softer tone. One line of good ewes did manage $128 all counted, but prices of $102-$108 were more common.
Cattle numbers were also reduced, with two-years in particular noted for their absence, though buyers were treated to solid volumes of traditional and beef-Friesian yearling cattle.
Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 445-540kg, made steady returns at $3.30/kg, and a line of Angus heifers, 408kg, earned $3.04/kg. Friesian bulls, 487-540kg, sold very well at $3.16-$3.20/kg.
Yearling Angus steers softened on recent levels as 274-286kg made $1040-$1105, $3.80-$3.86/kg. A big entry of Angus-Friesian, 323-355kg, were consistently priced at $3.49-$3.56/kg, putting $1130-$1238 on their heads. Traditional heifers made a good premium over beef-Friesian as 271kg returned $3.30/kg, compared to similar weight of beef-Friesian at $3.10-$3.19/kg. Friesian bulls, 239-287kg, eased to $3.34-$3.39/kg, while a consignment of autumn-born Angus-Friesian weaner heifers sold as one line and at 122kg returned $590.
