MORTLAKE agents yarded 970 cattle on Monday representing a few less than the previous market. A larger supply of manufacturing cattle came forward and a lift in quality in the trade cattle was on offer. Feeder interest was sound with a high percentage of suitable beef breeds and trade types purchased by feeder operators. The cow run had a good variety of beef and dairy types. Most of the regular operators were present and not all were fully engaged on a yarding comprising 230 grown cattle, 360 trade and 370 cows.
There was some urgency in Monday’s market resulting in stronger sales with most grown and trade types being 10c to 20c/kg stronger in places, quality dependent, with manufacturing cattle lifting 10c/kg and heavy beef cows remaining firm. Medium weight and some lighter cows were 15 to 20c/kg stronger.
A small number of vealers to the trade made to 344c/kg. Trade steers and heifers sold between 280c and 330c/kg. Grown cattle topped at 304c/kg with manufacturing steers selling from 210c to 296c/kg. Well-presented beef cows sold from 200c to 265c/kg with the medium weights from 180c to 220c/kg. Dairy cows were generally in the 167c to 230c/kg range. Beef bulls sold to a top of 240c/kg.
Sale summary:
Bulls (0-700kg): top 240.0c/kg, avg 205.7c/kg, top $1394.40p/hd, avg $1192.73p/hd.
Bulls (700+kg): top 240.0c/kg, avg 234.5c/kg, top $3108.00p/hd, avg $1889.73p/hd.
Light Heifers (0-350kg): top 330.0c/kg, avg 200.1c/kg, top $1105.50p/hd, avg $629.45p/hd.
Light Steers (0-350kg): top 180.0c/kg, avg 170.1c/kg, top $533.25p/hd, avg $503.04p/hd.
Trade Heifers (351-500kg): top 330.0c/kg, avg 250.7c/kg, top $1260.91p/hd, avg $1050.41p/hd.
Trade Steers (351-500kg): top 310.0c/kg, avg 222.9c/kg, top $1545.35p/hd, avg $987.35p/hd.
Grown Heifers (500+kg): top 282.0c/kg, avg 270.0c/kg, top $1687.50p/hd, avg $1491.86p/hd.
Grown Steers (500+kg): top 310.0c/kg, avg 274.2c/kg, top $1896.00p/hd, avg $1512.28p/hd.
Cows: top 265.0c/kg, avg 218.6c/kg, top $1979.97p/hd, avg $1168.56p/hd.
Bullocks: top 304.0c/kg, avg 263.8c/kg, top $2456.40p/hd, avg $1659.71p/hd.
Weaner Steers: top 344.0c/kg, avg 268.1c/kg. top $1100.80p/hd, avg $746.15p/hd.
