Heat no match for heifer demand

Offering about 500 head short of their advertised 2000 due to the heat, Hamilton independent agents penned and sold a quality yarding of Angus and Hereford heifer weaners that were keenly sought both as future breeders and for feeder finishing.

The penning of 1575 head saw sales of Angus heifers top at $665. These were a pen of 22 Toora West and Vermont-blood heifers, 352kg, that made 190c/kg lwt for Glenarlie selling to N Linke, Mt Napier.

Roo Park sold 26 Weeran-bld Angus heifers 333kg at 181c/kg lwt or $602, while most other sales of Angus heifers which displayed more freshness than their white-faced Hereford counterparts made 150-165c/kg.

Similar to the steer market demand for Hereford heifers found another gear as selected vendor lines drew more intense competition.

The highlight sale of the day was a yard of 30 Orana heifers, 316kg consigned by Paul and Carolyn Malseed that was bid to 206c/kg lwt.

These Yarram Park-bld heifers realised $651 a head, while the draft of the McClure family’s Mooree heifers made 182c/kg lwt or $543.

Several other vendor lines of Hereford heifers also drew animated competition making 178-191c/kg lwt, while balance of the Hereford yarding made 150-175c/kg.