Buyers travelled from Manawatu through to Hawkes Bay and Waikato. Two-year steers sold to keen interest, as did annual draft lines of yearling steers. Medium and lighter steers, as well as most heifers, met resistance and the strong levels could not be sustained.
Two-year Angus steers, 480-525kg, returned $3.16-$3.22/kg, and 430-460kg attracted a 12c/kg premium. One quality line of 385kg topped the section at $3.35/kg. Heifers traded at $2.78-$2.84/kg.
Nearly 1300 yearling steers were offered and prices eased. Most traditional lines from 300kg to 400kg largely sold for $3.20-$3.40/kg, $1000-$1200. Charolais-cross, 430-445kg, sold well at $3.21-$3.33/kg, $1380-$1480.
Straight Angus heifers made a noted premium as 255-315kg sold for $3.11-$3.22/kg, while similar weighted Angus & Angus-Hereford traded at $2.96-$3.07/kg. Buyers were selective on other lines, with a number falling short of $3.00/kg.
Friesian bulls met limited interest and 280-295kg made $2.81-$2.88/kg, while 315-355kg dropped to $2.41-$2.42/kg.
