Prime steers, 582-605kg, were strong at $2.90-$3.01/kg.
Hogget numbers continued to decline and sold well, with very heavy ram and male’s returning $202-$209, and heavy mixed sex $139-$155. A line of 165 heavy ewe hoggets sold for $177.50. A limited number of spring lambs sold to solid demand. Heavy rams made $161-$176, good mixed sex $130.50-$160 and small mixed sex, $79-$81.
A quality yarding of ewes met strong demand from the rails and most traded on a lifting market, though very heavy types maintained levels of $162-$183. Heavy ewes lifted to $140-$158, medium-good $128-$130.50, and medium $127. The lighter end traded at $92-$120.
Store lamb volume grew to just over 4400, and the market tracked a similar path to the week prior. Short term lambs maintained with Taupo buyers very strong. Blackface mixed sex returned $110-$125, with a few good lines up to $141. Medium types eased to $80-$93, and very light, $60-$70.
Hoggets with lambs-at-foot also had a good showing, and a buyer from Southern Hawke's Bay took the lot. The hoggets were light to medium condition and the lamb’s very young and docked. That was reflected in a price adjustment, with most trading at $72-$76 all counted.
Last week’s cattle sale was a small one of mixed quality. Chatham's cattle were offered, though not in great numbers. An unusual sight was a consignment of Friesian bulls, which all stayed local, and those around 80kg made $410-$415, and 94-105kg, $455-$500.
Despite the quieter day, outside buyers still played a part and most two-year cattle headed out of the area, though at reduced rates. Two-year Angus and Angus & Angus-Hereford steers, 485-504kg, earned $3.01-$3.07/kg, while Angus-Hereford heifers made $2.79-$2.93/kg for 446-478kg.
The yearling pens was fairly split between steers and heifers, with a few bulls also tidied up. Most steers were beef-cross and no lines ventured past $3.00/kg, with the best being 262-314kg at $2.96-$2.99/kg. Angus & Angus-Hereford heifers were consistently priced at $2.82-$2.85/kg, but varied from 158kg up to 266kg. A nice line of Charolais-Hereford, 328kg, made $2.71/kg.
One line of Hereford bulls, 293kg, sold for breeding at $1070, while Angus, 393kg, returned $1080, $2.75/kg.
