Store cattle numbers continued to flow at a consistent rate last Thursday and the yarding mainly featured empty Friesian heifers and Chatham Islands cattle, as well as a big consignment of R2 Friesian bulls.
A drop in store lamb numbers was predicted but not appreciated by buyers as Mid Canterbury buyer number sin the market is growing. Demand was strong across all weights, though none more so than the light cryptorchid lambs which sold for $77-$87. In the mixed sex pens good lines lifted and traded at $98.50-$112, medium types returned $86-$100.
The prime market also made positive movements as lamb prices firmed $3-$10 on the back of limited supply. Most of the trading happened in a $111-$167 range, with big numbers making $130-$148.
A two-fold effect of numbers dropping and guaranteed rain from Gita meant ewe prices also firmed, and a small top end sold to $182-$204. Most traded at $100-$169, though there was a smaller offering of lighter ewes that made $60-$99.
Local trade and prime cattle prices improved as orders from the North Island were filled.
Angus and Hereford steers, 485-620kg, sold on a steady to firm market at $2.80-$2.86/kg, but it was the heifer market that was the highlight, with prices lifting around 5c/kg for Angus, 538-645kg, while all Hereford, from 438kg through to 595kg, sold over a tight range of $2.74-$2.85/kg.
The bulls were not to be left behind, and Friesian, 564-588kg, firmed to $2.76-$2.83/kg, with returns also very positive for Jersey. The beef bulls sold on a steady market as Angus, 535-845kg, made $2.70-$2.80/kg, and Hereford, 503-615kg, $2.80-$2.93/kg.
A good balance of supply and demand is helping keep boner prices on par at very pleasing levels for vendors. The heavy, good yielding lines of Friesian sold to $1.86-$2.00/kg, with 450-513kg of medium condition earning $1.81-$1.90/kg. Few sold below that level. Heifer prices had a bit more variance as the better types made $2.50-$2.65/kg, though lesser lines, 309-376kg, varied from $1.81/kg through to $2.20/kg.
Angus cows were also a highlight, with 623-663kg fetching $2.19-$2.22/kg.
A small entry of cattle could not make the journey to the yards due to the large amount of rain, but that still left nearly 900 head to sell.
There were a few feature lines in the pens, including a consignment of 140 R2 Friesian bulls, which mostly sold to the North Island on an improved market of $2.82-$2.88/kg for 356-359kg, and $2.74-$2.76/kg for 313-321kg.
A larger than usual entry of empty Friesian heifers were also penned and they sold well relative to market value for these types. The top lines, 358-385kg, returned $2.29-$2.39/kg, with lighter lines 10c/kg behind.
Most of the beef-cross cattle hailed from the Chatham Island's, and prices reflected solid demand in the R2 heifer pens as Devon-cross, 274-370kg, sold for $2.68-$2.79/kg, while Hereford-cross, 225-372kg, largely made $2.67-$2.77/kg.
Calves continued to sell on a consistently strong market as good grass growth and the attraction of small outlay's draws in buyers. Steer numbers were limited but Hereford-Friesian, 129-152kg, sold over a tight range of $490-$565. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 124-156kg, could be picked up for $485-$560 and good beef lines, 207-210kg, made $675-$710.
Bulls made up the lion's share of the section and Friesian prices lifted $40-$50 on last sale. All bar one line sold for $450-$550, while Hereford-Friesian, 107-165kg, made $465-$540.
Hereford-cross cows with calves-at-foot had also journeyed from the Chatham's and the better types sold for $830-$1230.
