A lift in numbers of R2 heifers was met by keen buyers from North Waikato, and prices firmed. The focus from the bench was on the shorter term cattle and good weighted Hereford-Friesian, 423-454kg, firmed to $2.79-$2.81/kg. Lighter Hereford heifers, 378-415kg, were consistent at $2.77-$2.82/kg, though were matched by the crossbred lines, with similar weighted Hereford-Friesian and Hereford-Jersey making $2.72-$2.84/kg.
The steer section was much smaller by comparison and prices steady, with the small beef dominant section making $2.88-$2.95/kg.
Local buyers focused on the good quality R1 cattle, and beef and beef-Friesian steers, 220kg plus, returned $800- $910, with $3.54-$3.65/kg common, while exotic-cross heifers, 255-299kg, met keen competition and sold for $765-$825. There was a lesser type element to the R1 pens though that were buyable in some people’s books, with steers making $600-$685, and heifers, $430-$585.
