PRICES for light and medium weight steers that were of good breeding sold very well with several lines of Angus and Hereford steers selling between $680 and $825. These steers were highly contested having the best short and long term potential.
Some of the successful buyers had recently sold bullocks, and were primed to replace them. Despite fat steer prices easing 4c to 5c per kilogram liveweight the day before, demand remained strong. Liveweight price averages were from 200c to 229c/kg.
Overall, the yarding was of very mixed quality including heavy and crossbred steers, steers of good breeding, lighter crossbreds and Friesian steers. While there were some well-bred heifers penned, most were in plain condition and sold poorly.
The highest price for steers was $946 with most sales between $750 and $860. While not all of these steers had weights displayed, liveweight prices were from 155c for crossbred steers to 182c/kg for medium weight yearlings. Ajay Nominees, Foster, sold 56 crossbred steers between $550 and $800, average $737.
GW&GJ Bland, Yarram, sold 46 Angus steers, 13-15 months from $725 to $825, but weighed between 348kg and 423kg lwt. Therefore liveweight prices were between 195c and 208c, av 202c/kg.
Hereford steers sold very well, one consignment of 59 head sold by G&S Egan, Keenage Pastoral Co, Alberton sold from $600 to $815, av $726 or 208c/kg lwt.
Demand for lighter weight steers in poor condition was not as strong with these being a much longer project to re-sell. Sales of well-bred but poor condition steers were between $375 and $555.
In the heifer section of the sale, a couple of pens of Angus-Friesian and Hereford-Friesian heifers, ready to join, sold for $690 and $702, which was equal or close to their fat value.
From there on the selling of heifers was tough. GW&GJ Bland sold 33 Angus heifers, 13 to 15mth, from $570 to $650, av $597, or 150c to 186c, av 161c/kg lwt. Bulleondura, Mirboo North, sold 33 Hereford heifers, Mawarra blood, between $380 and $445, av $426 or about 160c/kg lwt.
Cows and calves sold well considering the size and condition of most cows. However, despite the cows and heifers being smaller and in light condition, the calves were being well looked after. Most claves were by European bulls and presented very well.
A draft of 16 Angus-Hereford heifers with Limousin calves at foot to six months and re-depastured to a Simmental bull sold for $1160. The heifers were in store condition, but the calves were solid. Most other outfits sold between $825 and $1130 and this price range covered a consignment of 39 mixed quality heifers and calves, which averaged $960.
