The first major spring sale of the year drew a large bench of buyers, including some from outside the region, and the market for most classes was similar to the previous week.
Older steers and heifers made up a big chunk of the yarding. The steer section was dominated by Hereford-Friesian, with most 450-520kg selling at $2.89-$3.14/kg. The next cut at 350-450kg earned $3.05-$3.16/kg, and the bulk of the R1 steers, 220-320kg, made $810-$1080. Weaner steers also sold well. Hereford-Friesian, 125kg, made $690, Shorthorn-cross, 122kg, $570, and red-bodied Hereford-Friesian, 119kg, $595. Friesian weaner bulls, 125kg, fetched $575.
The heifer section featured a line of very good Charolais, 400-480kg, which traded over $3.00/kg. Most beef and dairy-beef heifers in the 300-380kg range earned $2.85-$3.00/kg and 220-250kg, $710-$760. Hereford-Friesian weaners, 125kg, made $560.
Last Wednesday’s prime sale drew a small yarding but the market was firm. Heavy prime steers traded at $3.08-$3.24/kg, with medium types making $2.90-$3.06/kg, and lighter beef steers $2.85-$2.90/kg. Heifer numbers were light. Hereford-Friesian, 478kg, earned $2.98/kg and Shorthorn, 475kg, $2.99/kg. Heavy well-conditioned Friesian and light-medium beef cows sold for $2.02-$2.12/kg, with medium Friesian fetching $1.73-$1.89/kg. Lighter boners sold down to $1.58/kg
About 800 ewes and lambs were on offer at last Monday’s sheep sale and most classes sold at similar levels to the previous week. Heavy prime lambs traded at $185-$222 and medium $151-$172. One pen of store lambs returned $111 and the best of the heavy prime ewes fetched $120-149. Medium ewes made $105-$120, with lighter types selling down to $54.
