Friesian bull quality was consistent, though returns varied as 114-121kg lifted to $475-$525, but 109-111kg eased to $425-$470. The balance were steady with 104-108kg at $400-$470, and 90-101kg, $370-$420, while Friesian-cross, 97-116kg, traded at $355-$430. Hereford-Friesian bulls traded on a steady to lifting market with 125-133kg up to $620-$680, and 100-105kg, $580-$617. Those 91-95kg were steady at $535-$565, and Hereford-cross, 95-133kg traded at $487-$570.
Heifers were solid for most and Charolais-cross, 96-134kg, returned $430-$612, with Hereford-cross, 84-103kg, at $298-$370. Hereford-Friesian, 125kg, lifted to $600, though 101-119kg eased to $410-$490.
In the autumn-born pens Hereford-Friesian heifers, 144-227kg, returned $445-$655, and Hereford-Friesian and Friesian bulls, 160-164kg, lifted to $650-$695.
Good rain and grass growth increased confidence last Wednesday, with more local buyers looking for replacements.
Two-year beef-cross steers, 440-485kg, lifted to $2.80-$2.88/kg, and Hereford-Friesian heifers, 408-432kg, $2.81-$2.82/kg.
Yearling cattle traded on a steady to lifting market and beef-cross steers, 311-345kg, earned $3.10-$3.15/kg, with Simmental-cross, 413kg, at $3.12/kg, and Hereford-cross, 288-339kg, $3.02-$3.18/kg. Heifers had equally pleasing results with Angus, 318-332kg, at $2.98-$3.00/kg, and Angus-cross, 309-357kg, $2.80-$2.86/kg. Hereford-cross, 232-284kg, lifted though sold in two main brackets relating to quality with 273-284kg at $3.05-$3.11/kg, and 232-273kg back to $2.69-$2.77/kg. Hereford-Friesian also varied with 291kg steady at $2.97/kg, though 306kg eased to $2.61/kg.
Autumn-born yearling beef-cross steers, 376-478kg, returned $2.84-$2.90/kg, and Charolais-cross heifers, 372-401kg, were firm at $2.76-$2.85/kg. A handful of Hereford bulls, 441kg, sold well at $1440, $3.27/kg.
Autumn-born weaners were firm with beef-cross steers, 194-197kg, at $630-$685, and all heifers, 180-224kg, managed $490-$640. Beef-cross bulls, 261-288kg, had pleasing results at $860-$1055.
Prime cattle traded on a steady to lifting market with Angus steers, 591kg, maintaining $2.84/kg, while Hereford-Friesian, 695-700kg, lifted to $2015-$2025, $2.89-$2.90/kg. Three Angus heifers, 495kg, matched their brothers at $2.84/kg, while the balance, 460-625kg, traded at $2.82-$2.88/kg.
A small line of Hereford bulls, 565kg, were solid at $2.90/kg, and Friesian boner cows, 505-637kg, strengthened to $1.94-$2.07/kg.
