The sheep markets however continue to climb, on the back of low numbers, good grass covers and lifting schedules.
Store lamb numbers lifted marginally, with just over 800 of the better end from one property and the balance from the Chatham Islands. These two consignments added some real weight to the pens, with the yarding very heavy, and few lines selling under $100. Medium-good mixed sex lifted to $100-$111, with very heavy lines trading at $109-$137. Good ewe lambs were hot property, and sold for $116-$128, while two lines of males traded at $113 and $133.
Prime lambs also reaped the reward of limited numbers and lifting schedules, with the median price climbing a further $3 to $136, and most lambs trading at $120-$160.
A slightly bigger yarding of ewes was easily absorbed by a keen bench, and very heavy types managed to sell to $161-$178, while most were good types at $130-$157, with just small lines selling under $110.
Boner cow prices came back, though the yarding was made up of small lines from different farms, with quality mixed. The previous week’s lift could not be sustained, and few lines cracked $1.90/kg. Friesian, 520kg plus, made $1.77-$1.84/kg, and 422- 475kg, $1.62-$1.71/kg. Good weighted beef cows sold to strong demand, and managed $2.10-$2.19/kg.
The prime pens lacked numbers, and in particular local trade lines that are proving popular at present. Steers sold on a steady to firm market, with traditional, 575kg plus, firm at $2.95/kg, though the range was $2.92-$3.03/kg. Plainer Hereford- Friesian, and Friesian, 485-545kg, returned $2.71-$2.84/kg.
Good yielding heifers, 475-550kg, made $2.80-$2.88/kg, regardless of breed, while all bulls sold in the $2.75- $2.81/kg range.
