With the extra weight from the Chatham’s a large portion of the store lambs offered were 40kg and heavier, in all sections including the ewe lambs. The heavy males and mixed sex made similar values at $152-$167, with ewe lambs earning $147-$151. The remainder of the yarding were mixed sex, and prices did come back for good types at $134-$144, but given that was the same range for medium types these sold on a strong market.
The prime markets continued to go from strength to strength and for the second week running $200 was exceeded in both sections. The lamb market firmed $2-$4 and most sold for $155-$198, with a further 147 head selling for $200-$211.
The top ewe price was $240, and just over 160 of the 846 head yarding managed to make $216-$240. Second cuts traded at $170-$198, with third cuts making $120-$164. Very few ewes sold for less than $100.
In the cattle pens exactly 100 lots were offered but half of those housed just a lone beast, and buyers really had to work to secure numbers, with all aspects of the sale at improved levels.
The best of the prime steers reached $2.93/kg – a level reserved for 690-745kg Angus and exotic cattle with good yield. The next tier of beef and also Hereford-Friesian reached $2.84-$2.89/kg, which was a 5c/kg lift on the previous week.
A massive Angus heifer, 805kg, raised the bids to $2.84/kg, putting $2286 on her head. Other heavy Angus and exotic heifers returned $2.74-$2.85/kg, while Hereford-Friesian, 483-565kg, lifted 4c/kg to finish at $2.71-$2.80/kg. Even the Friesian heifer market showed promise, with prices firming. The better types in a 525-620kg range made $2.57-$2.64/kg, with most other lines earning $2.21-$2.31/kg.
For the first time this year beef cows outnumbered the dairy, as a big entry of Angus came forward. The cow market lifted and good Angus, 605-655kg, managed $2.27-$2.37/kg, and the second cuts, $2.18-$2.28/kg.
The Friesian cow market improved by one of the biggest margins, with prices up 10c/kg for all bar the very heavy lines, which soared. Those 602-606kg exceeded $2.00/kg to $2.04-$2.10/kg, and most other lots traded at $1.82-$1.95/kg.
