Trade cattle quality improves, while cows steady

THERE was an increase in numbers to 1300 cattle on Monday at WVLX Mortlake, representing an increase of 176 head.

By Admin

October 31, 2023 | 2:00 PM

THE Mortlake market yarded 1124 head on Monday, an increase of 220 head. Trade cattle improved in quality along with grown steers and bullocks. Cow numbers increased by over 100 head with a good mixture of beef and dairy breeds with quality overall similar to last week. Most operators attended the market, however not all were operating to capacity. Feeder and store buyer interest was not evident.

The yarding consisted of 400 trade and 330 cows, 370 grown cattle and 22 bulls. There was resilience at the better end of the market with most categories remaining firm with the secondary types slightly cheaper with the exception of the heavy grown cattle that were softer by 10c/kg overall.

Trade steers and heifers made between 175c and 245c/kg with the grown cattle topping at 225c/kg whilst manufacturing steers sold from 130c to 198c/kg. Better covered beef cows sold from 145c to 190c/kg with the medium weights selling between 130c and 145c/kg. Dairy cows were generally making between 145c and 175c/kg. Grown beef bulls topped at 205c/kg with dairy bulls to 170c/kg.

Sale summary:

Bulls (0-700kg): top 190.0c/kg, avg 166.6c/kg, top $1221.00p/hd, avg $845.95p/hd.

Bulls (700+kg): top 205.0c/kg, avg 188.0c/kg, top $1857.30p/hd, avg $1531.27p/hd.

Light Heifers (0-350kg): top 230.0c/kg, avg 137.1c/kg, top $778.17p/hd, avg $401.49p/hd.

Light Steers (0-350kg): top 160.0c/kg, avg 107.1c/kg, top $502.40p/hd, avg $327.82p/hd.

Trade Heifers (351-500kg): top 210.0c/kg, avg 163.4c/kg, top $1029.00p/hd, avg $695.15p/hd.

Trade Steers (351-500kg): top 245.0c/kg, avg 180.2c/kg, top $1115.88p/hd, avg $779.39p/hd.

Heavy Heifers (500+kg): top 206.0c/kg, avg 178.6c/kg, top $1216.80p/hd, avg $970.56p/hd.

Heavy Steers (500+kg): top 224.0c/kg, avg 187.6c/kg, top $1545.60p/hd, avg $1069.71p/hd.

Grown Heifers: top 194.0c/kg, avg 184.7c/kg, top $1132.96p/hd, avg $944.00p/hd.

Grown Steers: top 225.0c/kg, avg 213.3c/kg, top $1642.50p/hd, avg $1467.47p/hd.

Cows: top 190.0c/kg, avg 161.7c/kg, top $1470.75p/hd, avg $916.67p/hd.