Most pens had two-three head, and the sale took some time to complete despite moderate numbers of 290 store and 152 prime and boner cattle.
The prime market had a softer tone as beef-Friesian steers, 585-636kg, eased to $2.80-$2.86/kg, with Hereford-cross of similar weight also falling in that range. Friesian bulls, 503-527kg, made market value at $2.73-$2.75/kg.
Dairy cow and heifer numbers are gaining momentum as scanned empty heifers come out and autumn-calving brings out cull cows. The boner market was steady as better cows traded at $1.83-$1.95/kg, with second cuts earning $1.70-$1.82/kg. One line of run-with-bull cows, 511kg, sold well at $2.04/kg. Empty Friesian heifers were variable though better types made $2.32-$2.47/kg and second cuts, $1.95-$2.22/kg.
The store section really dragged out the sale with so many small lines of mixed quality. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers had a solid enough sale, though the tone was softer. One line of 462kg sold to $2.94/kg, with better types in a 386-410kg range also making $2.85-$2.94/kg. As the weight dropped $3.00/kg was achieved and 324-334kg made $3.14-$3.15/kg. Similar weighted Angus-Friesian and Hereford-cross were off that pace though, trading at $2.89-$2.96/kg.
A small number of Hereford-Friesian heifers, 382-402kg, sold for $2.69-$2.80/kg, bettered by 490kg Angus-Friesian at $2.85/kg.
A good yarding of 1279 weaners greeted a moderate bench of buyers onThursday and locals competed with Hawkes Bay, Te Kuiti, Auckland and Northland. It was something of a game of two halves as the market was steady for heavier calves, but an easing was felt for lighter types.
Angus-Friesian steers, 208-221kg, were solid at $770-$800, as were 157-183kg at $655-$760, though lighter 130kg eased $40 to $540-$548. Hereford-Friesian results were similar with 179-195kg selling well at $720-$775, while 132-141kg eased $20 to $635-$680, as did 108-113kg to $540-$555.
Hereford-cross heifers, 121kg, lifted $20 to $500 and Angus-Friesian, 154-200kg, earned $500-$645, while 133-146kg eased $70 to $450-$500. Hereford-Friesian, 129-138kg, also eased $20 to $535-$560, as did 122-124kg at $545-$555, and 110kg at $430.
Hereford-Friesian bulls managed steady returns for most and 133-134kg returned $650-$660, while Friesian bulls eased on recent levels with 148kg back $20 to $630, and 124-128kg softening $80 to $540-$560.
