The market for good R2 steers and heifers was steady but lighter and younger cattle were harder to shift.
The steer section included 460kg Hereford-Friesian, which traded at $2.93/kg. Another Hereford-Friesian pen, 353kg, made $3.11/kg, with Angus, 305kg, earning $2.86/kg. Bull numbers were light but a line of 320kg Friesian sold at $2.75/kg.
In the heifer section, 380kg Hereford-Friesian fetched $2.94/kg. Another pen at 300kg made $725 and 244kg Hereford returned $680.
About 300 cattle were on offer at last Wednesday’s prime sale and the market was very firm. The best of the prime steers sold at $2.96- $3.03/kg, with medium types earning $2.91-$2.95/kg, and lighter $2.86-$2.90/kg. Heifer prices were also strong. The heavier lots made $2.88-$2.93/kg, medium $2.82-$2.87/kg and lighter beef heifers $2.78-$2.80/kg. A small offering of beef cows traded at $2.25-$2.35/kg, and in-calf Friesian cows $2.12-$2.18/kg. Heavy-conditioned empty Friesian returned $1.92-$2.05/kg, medium $1.80-$1.90/kg and lighter boners $1.68-$1.75/kg. Heavy bulls earned $2.94-$3.03/kg.
Prime lambs sold up to $194 at last Monday’s sheep sale. Lighter primes sold from $135, with store lamb prices ranging from $94 to $135. The best of the prime ewes made $162, with lighter types selling down to $65.
