About 650 store cattle were yarded last Thursday, and the heavier steers, 450-570kg, traded at $2.97-$3.10/kg. The next cut at 380-440kg made $2.95-$3.05/kg, with good yearling steers, 300-350kg, earning $2.90-$3.12/kg. Lighter yearlings, 200-240kg, fetched $3.65-$4.11/kg, and good autumn-born Hereford-Friesian weaners, 160kg, $760.
The bull section included 270kg Friesian, which sold at $3.04/kg. Another pen of Friesian-cross, 239kg, earned $750 and other crossbreds, 240kg, $690.
The heifer market was firm, with many of the older lots selling at rates comparable to the steers. Heavy heifers, 400-486kg, made $2.90-$3.05/kg. Good Hereford-Friesian, 349kg, earned $3.21/kg, and lighter yearlings, 200-300kg, $2.90-$3.31/kg. Nice autumn-born Hereford-Friesian weaners, 162kg, made $645.
About 350 cattle were presented at last Wednesday’s prime sale and the market was strong. Most heavy prime steers traded at $3.05-$3.17/kg, with a line of very heavy Hereford-Friesian, 930kg, making $2.60/kg, $2435. Medium steers earned $2.90-$3.05/kg and light $2.60-$2.88/kg. Heifers also sold well. Heavy prime beef heifers earned $3.05-$3.12/kg, good-medium $2.90-$3.05/kg and lighter beef $2.75-$2.90/kg. Good dairy heifers traded at $2.45-$2.70/kg with medium dairy-types making $2.05-$2.35/kg and light $1.75-$2.05/kg. Prime Hereford cows, 720kg, returned $2.28/kg, $1648, and other heavy beef cows fetched $2.05-$2.45/kg. Well-conditioned Friesian cows sold at $2.00-$2.30/kg, medium $1.75-$2.00/kg and lighter boners $1.40-$1.70/kg. A handful of Hereford bulls earned $2.90-$2.95/kg.
Lamb prices continued to exceed $200 at last Monday’s sheep sale. The best of the heavy prime lambs made $170-$210, and medium $150-$170. Store lambs fetched $100 to $140 and heavy prime ewes $140-$172. Medium ewes sold for $120-$140. About 1100 ewes and lambs were yarded.
