The steer section included a pen of big Hereford-Friesian, 640kg, which traded at $2.69/kg, $1720. Other heavy steers, 499kg, earned $2.76/kg, with a 411kg pen making $2.81/kg. Good Angus weaner steers, 229kg, fetched $840 and another pen, 190kg, $730. Hereford-Friesian weaner steers, 203kg, made $810, and 135kg, $630.
In the heifer section, a pen of Hereford-Friesian, 436kg, earned $2.51/kg, with 374kg selling at $2.56/kg, and 337kg, $2.63/kg. Angus weaner heifers, 212kg, made $650 and 158kg, $575. Hereford-Friesian weaner heifers, 140kg, sold for $510.
About 450 cattle were yarded at last Wednesday’s prime sale and the market was firm. Heavy prime steers traded at $2.77-$2.82/kg, medium $2.70-$2.75/kg, and lighter $2.65-$2.70/kg. The best of the prime beef heifers sold at $2.74-$2.78/kg, while medium lots returned $2.68-$2.73/kg, and lighter types $2.62-$2.67/kg. Beef cows earned $2.18-$2.24/kg, and an entry of heavy in-calf Friesian (July calving) sold for $2.04-$2.12/kg. Well-conditioned empty Friesian traded at $1.72-$1.84/kg, with medium cows making $1.65-$1.70/kg, and lighter boners $1.50-$1.62/kg. Heavy beef bulls fetched $2.80-$2.90/kg, and medium $2.68-$2.80/kg.
Prime lamb prices remained buoyant at last Monday’s sheep sale, with the best lambs earning $175-$191. Good-medium primes made $142-$160, and lighter $118-$130. Store lamb numbers were limited. Top stores earned $110-$118, medium $95-$105, and lighter $85-$95. Heavy prime ewes sold at $110-$140, with medium fetching $95-$110, and lighter $75-$90.
