A large crowd at Kyneton included two feedlot operators and two processors, plus successful competition from Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton, Pakenham and Kilmore.
Agents offered only 300 cattle due to the solid rain, and good growth of grass across the district. There was strong enquiry for all classes of cattle, which sold to dearer price trends.
Due to the small yarding, there was only one lane of steers. Prices ranged mostly from $790, to a top price of $1670. This top prices was for Angus steers sold by Rush Bros, their other pen making $1580. Both pens equalled just under 400 cents per kilogram liveweight.
R Slimmon sold Charolais cross steers for $1240, and A Battersby, Angus steers for $1270. K Cardillo sold lightweight Hereford steer calves for $980. Kieran McGrath said steers equalled liveweight prices from 375-520c/kg.
Heifers sold to a top of $1560 from a base price of $810. R Slimmon sold Charolais-Angus heifers for $1240, equalling 426c/kg, which gave a good indication of the strength of competition for heifers of all weights and quality.
M Hanson sold Angus heifers for $1160, or 477c/kg, and A Defrazio, Angus heifers (290kgs) for $1110, equalling 462c/kg lwt.
Once again, competition for the lighter weight portion of the steers and heifers was the strongest of the sale, as producers look at how much they are spending, not necessarily the article.
This is the main reason why the liveweight price equivalents remain the highest of not only this sale, but all others too.
Demand for cows and calves was very strong, as producers look for other alternatives to fill paddocks. Cows and calves give a quicker return on investment at times, and this demand saw high prices paid.
F&S Reilly sold 12 mixed age, Angus cows with calves at foot, 2-8 months by Limousin bulls, and rejoined to same, for $2620. Account Banon sold four Charolais heifers with Angus calves at foot for $2360.