Lighter steers make 187c/kg lw

Trade young cattle demand remained strong but was in no immediate danger of bubbling over at major Victorian saleyards this week.Quality was mixed with most centres offering small to modest selections of supplementary-fed cattle. These and also feeder types were sufficiently supplied for buyers to obtain their share without pushing the market.The Pakenham trade sale on Monday of 1700 head was the largest young cattle yarding before the forthcoming Queen’s Birthday long weekend.Carlo Taranto, Elders, said a better weighted selection of 300-350 kilograms supplementary fed yearlings found most sales made between 195-226c/kg liveweight at firm to dearer prices.Mr Taranto said heavier yearling trade steers made to 180c/kg lw. Feeders, which met more subdued inquiry, made 190- 195c/kg lw for milk and two-tooth Angus steers, 400 to 450kg and to 178c/kg lw for similar age Hereford steers. Export cattle sold on Tuesday at Pakenham met stronger demand. Supplies contracted as heavy Jap-ox bullocks made 179-184c/kg lw while lighter steers, 500 to 550kg, made to 187c/kg lw.At Wodonga young cattle numbers were raised to 960 head on Tuesday with a draft of well finished grass-fed yearlings from the Nyngan area in northern NSW bolstering the supply.Michael Unthank, Brian Unthank, Rodwell, said prices for trade weight heifers and steers were definitely no dearer with the majority of sales for the well-finished recorded between 190 and 205c/kg lw. Feeder inquiry he said was more subdued with most secondary heifers sold at 165- 170c/kg lw. An isolated sale or two secured by restockers were bid to 200c/kg lw for heifers and to 204c/kg lw for steers.The National Livestock Reporting Service said a limited supply of vealers made to 228c/kg lw while grown steers and lighter bullocks, which were also offered in limited numbers, made 150-180c/kg lw.Grown heifers were sold 7c dearer and made to 175c/kg lw, the service reported.Across at Shepparton on Tuesday, reduced numbers of supplementary-fed types were also offered following the much cheaper trend in the previous market.The National Livestock Reporting Service quoted best quality vealers and yearling cattle 8-10c/kg lw dearer selling to a top of 231c/kg lw, although most sales of fed cattle made 200-222c/kg lw.Yearling heifers were offered in limited numbers and while quality was plain most made 165-174c/kg lw.