The yarding of nearly 3000 store lambs was easily sold, including a consignment of Merino-Cheviot lambs which sold well at $71-$95.
The main focus was on the quality meat breeds and bigger line sizes sold at a premium to the smaller lines, which meant variable $/kg. The better mixed sex made $83-$112, though some lines did drop away to $73-$79. Light lines traded at $50-$68. Sale of the day was 159 light-medium ewe lambs which sold for $89.
Corrections to schedule prices were reflected in the prime prices, with lambs in particular softening to $92-$147. The ewe market was more resilient though as a wider bench of buyers were active. Better types made $110-$167, and the remainder, $70-$107.
Cattle throughput was at typical levels for the first sale of the year and also sticking with traditional was the influx of bulls from the dairy herds. Just over 60% were Jersey and the balance Angus, Hereford and a few Friesian for good measure. Fervent bidding set the tone and Hereford bulls, 687-733kg, managed $2.86-$2.92/kg to be the highlight. Lighter Hereford and Angus, 520-655kg, were off that pace but still pleasing at $2.77-$2.88/kg, giving the prime steer’s a run for their money. Friesian, 556-762kg, traded at $2.66-$2.78/kg.
Buyers were focused on weight and yield on the Jersey bulls as 515-568kg managed $2.59-$2.68/kg, though a similar number weighed in at 444-505kg and sold for $2.35-$2.51/kg. Lesser lines dropped down to $2.10-$2.20/kg.
The best of the Friesian cows managed to hit $2.00/kg, though the bulk fetched $1.85-$1.95/kg. Friesian heifers, 503-538kg, generally traded at $2.42-$2.51/kg.
The prime steers and heifers did take a bit of a back seat to the dairy stock, though prices held where they left off in 2017. Angus and Hereford steers, 549-664kg, sold for $2.81-$2.85/kg, while Hereford-Friesian tended to trade at $2.70-$2.81/kg. Most heifers sold for $2.64-$2.75/kg, with premiums paid for straight Hereford and Angus.
The store cattle sale was a small affair last Thursday, and included a large number of Chatham Island's cattle.
Chatham's Hereford steers sold to keen interest, and 1-year 339-374kg returned $3.02-$3.04/kg, though lighter lines at 234-285kg made a 5-12c/kg premium. Two nice lines of well-presented Hereford-Friesian, 293-323kg, managed $3.07-$3.10/kg.
