Wednesday’s sale was held in much better conditions to the week prior. There was plenty of interest in the 1200 head of cattle penned and the big entry of ewes with lambs-at-foot.
Throughput reduced in the sheep pens and combined with strong interest from the rails they were easily absorbed. The market was a two-way game, particularly in the lamb section with heavy lines steady to lifting whilst good to lighter softened. Six very heavy ram lambs topped the sale at $235, with other very heavy cryptorchid and male lines at $197-$226.50. Heavy types returned $174.50-$205, though good males softened to $160-$176.
Top ewe lambs were steady at $200.50-$210, whilst heavy types eased to $182-$188.50, as did good lines at $150-$171.
Though demand continues to be strong for ewes, last week prices didn't reach the levels that have become familiar. Very heavy mixed age ewes eased to $172-$207, with heavy types back at $164-$169. Good ewes were steady at $130-$146.50, while medium lifted to $125.50-$127. Two to four-tooth ewes for $115-$137.
It is the season for ewes with lambs-at-foot and the pens featured annual draft lines from Wairoa. The ewes were good hill country types and lambs a mix of blackface and whiteface around 3-weeks of age. One consignment were docked and sold for a slight premium over undocked lines, with the two top pens making $119-$120.50 all counted and lighter lines, $115. Prices for the majority of multiple lines were consistent at $115-$118.50.
The lateness of the season had an easing effect on the store lamb market, especially long term lambs. Short term lambs sold well at $164-$190 for males and ewe lambs. Good males held value at $154-$156, though medium lines eased to $125-$149. Prices eased for most ewe lambs and good types made $146-$157, and medium $131-$152.
A big attraction to the store cattle pens last Wednesday was nearly 500 2-year bulls, and buyers gathered from all around the North Island.
The two-year bulls was the most well-contested section of the sale. Some lines were offered up empty and that fact coupled with strong demand meant the majority traded at $3.12-$3.23/kg for 406-530kg. A line of 50 head, 473kg, did push to $1545, $3.27/kg. Beef bulls sold well with 48 making $3.27/kg, though Angus-cross, 368-420kg, were good shopping in comparison at $2.92-$2.94/kg.
Two-year Angus steers, 374-435kg, firmed to $3.22-$3.32/kg, though extra weight meant more $/kg and two heavier lines reached $3.38-$3.44/kg. A consignment of Charolais-Angus steers and heifers also headed in two different directions with the steers southbound at $1600, $3.42/kg, and heifers heading north for $1130, $2.91/kg.
Annual draft steers were the stand-out feature in the yearling pens. The Angus market was softer and those 282-328kg sold over a tight band of $3.69-$3.75/kg, while a line of 32, 360kg, managed $3.56/kg.
A special entry of South Devon heifers glowed in the spring sunshine and looked just as impressive in the rostrum. They sold for $1060, $3.48/kg.
