Good quality store lambs were sought after and the top lines held value at $95-$105, with medium types following suit at $80-$90. Lesser lines were harder to shift with the easing trend continuing, as light lines returned $65-$75, and very light, $40-$50.
The prime lamb market had a softer tone as heavy lambs went under the hammer for $140-$150, medium $115-$130, and light $100-$110. Ewe prices were more resilient and heavy lines traded at $136-$150, medium $100-$115, and light $80-$90. Two-tooth’s fetched $78-$100 and rams, $80-$116.
Cattle numbers continue to flow with some regularity as mainly cows and empty heifers are penned, along with weaners.
Steers, 450kg, firmed to $2.30-$2.45/kg, though were very limited in number, and 400kg beef heifers returned $2.30-$2.40/kg. Larger numbers of dairy cows and heifers are making for a lopsided demand and supply equation, with heifers, 320-380kg, easing to $1.50-$1.70/kg. Dairy cows, 420-450kg, held value at last week’s discounted levels of $1.20-$1.30/kg, but 370-400kg eased to $0.80-$0.90/kg.
R2 Hereford-cross steers, 410kg, regained ground lost last week to sell for $2.68/kg, though Friesian, 380-450kg, were relatively good buying at $2.10-$2.33/kg. Beef-cross heifers, 400kg, made a sturdy $2.42/kg. In the weaner pens Hereford-cross bulls, 187kg, returned $600, $3.20/kg, while both Angus-cross and Friesian, 200kg, traded at $580-$630, $2.90-$3.15/kg. Lighter Friesian were much harder to shift and 166kg made $450-$465, $2.71-$2.80/kg.
