Heifers were very buyable with those above 100kg softening $60-$100 for most and for 80-94kg the discount increased, with some lines halving the returns seen last year. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 99-155kg, traded at $430-$600 for most, with lighter 80-94kg lines returning $190-$355.
In the bull pens results were similar for traditional and beef-dairy lines, with most trading at a $20-$50 discount. Angus-Friesian, 82-85kg, returned $340-$410, with 96-110kg at $472-$562. Hereford-Friesian, 66-92kg, traded at $205-$360 for the majority and 94-129kg, $395-$600. Friesian bulls were strong with 66-98kg trading at $220-$450, and 99-126kg, $515-$600.
All autumn-born steers, 119-181kg, returned $490-$650, and Hereford-Friesian bulls, 91-185kg, $530-$670, while Friesian, 154-182kg, earned $475-$650.
Cattle volume reduced on Wednesday and short term cattle sold on a slightly softer market, but long term types dropped considerably.
There was a blanket easing for two-year cattle though it was only marginal. $3.00/kg plus was very rare, with just two pens of steers exceeding it. Hereford-Friesian, 436-471kg, eased to $2.98/kg, while heifers of same breeding but slightly lighter weights made $2.88-$2.94/kg.
Of the 600 yearlings penned heifers accounted for nearly 60%, and this section was hard work. Cattle were either beef-cross or beef-Friesian, apart from a line of Angus, 251kg, which was one of only two lines to exceed $3.00/kg. Clean faced Hereford-Friesian still attracted a premium and 240-330kg sold for $2.88-$3.02/kg, while 230-250kg Hereford-cross only managed $2.51-$2.66/kg. Heavier lines with a bit more quality sold for $2.81-$2.86/kg.
The steer market was the best of the yearling and quality Hereford-cross, 248-280kg, even made a bit of a lift to $3.04-$3.25/kg. For every good line though there was a lesser bred pen and price ranges of $2.85-$3.00/kg were not uncommon for these types. A few stand-out lines of Hereford-Friesian, 218-287kg, did manage $3.39-$3.45/kg.
The prime section was much smaller and featured steers. The better beef lines sold for $2.94-$2.98/kg, and Friesian-cross, 517-583kg, returned $2.82-$2.88/kg.
