While quality was very mixed, in a yarding of 1500 cattle offered at Pakenham, strong sales early in the market led to a good day overall.
The front lane included four pens of Friesian heifers cross bred with Charolais, Angus and Hereford bulls, which were of joinable age. These sold very well, and were purchased to join to Limousin bulls, from $1210-$1600.
This sale, and that of Angus steers in the next agent’s offering, influenced a strong sale overall.
Two buyers wanted Angus steers weighing from 360-420 kilograms liveweight, and their competition was very strong. Successful purchases were Harmony Farms, Mt Fyans, and KD Trading. Between these two buyers, suitable Angus steers made from $1290-$1570, equaling up to 392c/kg lwt.
Gordon Danks, Vesper, sold a pen of 16 Angus steers, 15-16 months, Innesdale blood, for $1505. Weighing 417kgs, this equaled 361c/kg lwt.
Next to these, was a run of 82 Angus steers from Penbro Estate, Glenburn, which sold from $1250-$1570. Formerly Penbro Farm, Steve Waterman purchased ad renamed this renown property, and this was his first consignment of cattle. Selling to liveweight prices equaling 373-392c/kg, it could not have been a better start for Mr Waterman.
Penbro Estate aslo sold 30 heifers, Lawsons and Kennys Creek blood from $1550-$1560, equaling over 400c/kg lwt, but these were purchased for future breeders. They also sold 39 heifers from a different drop from $1050-$1250.
Lighter weight steers continue to sell to strong demand. Burnbrook Angus, Anderson, sold 39 Angus steers from $1100-$1275, but theses were not weighed. Estimates put them over 400c/kg lwt.
Typical of many recent sales, this market included some heavy and older steers with a top price of $1660 being paid. However, most sold from $1350-$1600. Pepperhill Trading, Willow Grove, sold 29 Angus steers from $1480-$1600. Imtryin Pty Ltd, Metung, sold 49 Angus and Charolais-Angus steers from $1480-$1600.
Steers of mid range in weight varied in demand. K&K Anderson, The Avenues, Rosedale, solde 3 Angus steers, 440kgs, for $1440, and 19 head weighing 373kgs, for the same money.
Hillandale, Drouin, sold 13 Charolais & Limousin steer calves for $1260, and N Beninatti, Pakenham South, 14 older Charolais steers for $1445. Both of these were very good sales.
Friesian steers were again well supplied with a big range of ages and weights. A pen of Friesian bullocks sold for around $1450, but younger steers, 350-467kgs, sold between $1000-$1120.
Hereford steers were scarce. PF&MR Brown, Lardner, sold 33 steers from $980-$1200, which was excellent as they were very light.
Away from the heifers mentioned earlier, most sold from $750 for lightweight Herefords, to $1400 for good quality yearlings.
There was 83 Angus heifers penned, carded as Bago Farms Wauchope, that were 8-10 months of age, and in good condition. Competition was strong, seeing them make from $880-$1170.
Many pens of cows and calves were penned, but much of these were smaller lots, and very mixed in quality. topping the bill were 8 Charolais-Shorthorn heifers with 6-7 month old Charolais calves. Selling to strong demand they sold for $3000.
T Wynen have sold their Clyde property, and offered 19 Angus cows with quality Charolais calves at foot, mostly 5 months old. These made from $2320-$2590 after strong bidding.
However, a single Limousin heifer and calf belonging to Carpaci Farms, Rockbank, topped this part of the sale, making $3100.
Despite the age and quality falling away, demand was strong with most selling mostly from $1660-$2320.
