VOLUME buyers wanting cattle for winter processing sought weight and condition from a larger than anticipated yarding at Ballarat store cattle sale on Friday.
Offering 3000 head at its monthly March market agents received and penned an unusual large selection of coloured cattle that included some smart lines of Hereford, Shorthorn and Euro-cross which were treated with the same respect as the usual dominant display of black cattle.
With lot feeders, processors and Gippsland grass-finishers keen to secure advanced lots for winter processing, prices paid for lots “forward in condition” firmed in value compared to the previous sale one month ago while lines that had slipped in condition were sold cheaper.
Heavy Hereford steers made $950- $1060 a head while heavy Angus steers made to $1155.
Feeder weight steers 360-450kg made $700- $1100, av 229c/kg lwt while steers, 280-360kg, made $710- $930/head and average 232c.
Unjoined heifers were also sought on the same weight and condition basis as their steer brothers. These were sold at fully firm rates for best while off the top lines met subdued and limited inquiry from winter restockers to sell at slightly reduced rates.
Heifers 360- 450kg made $745- $960 a head, av 205c while lighter 280-360kg heifers made $520- $800 a head and averaged 198c/kg lwt.