THE initial market of the year at Mortlake yarded 1210 head displaying good quality overall, however, there was a larger tail of crossbred cattle on offer.
There was weight in the grown cattle and bullocks with few manufacturing types on offer along with a good mixture of beef and dairy bred cows.
Most of the regular buying panel were operating actively in a stronger market, with the exception of one major player in a yard consisting of 220 grown cattle, 460 trade along with 510 cows and 20 grown bulls.
Grown cattle and manufacturing types gained 20 to 30c/kg as did the trade types.
Cows were stronger by 25 to 40c/kg over most categories and bulls gained 20c/kg.
This week a small number of secondary vealers were on offer making from 190 to 208c/kg.
Trade steers and heifers sold from 230c to 270c/kg.
Grown cattle topped at 266c with manufacturing steers selling up to 245c/kg.
Heavy beef cows sold from 210 to 245c with the medium weights between 165 and 205c/kg.
Dairy cows were generally selling between 160 and 225c/kg with grown beef bulls to 235c/kg.
Sale summary:
Bulls (0-700kg): Top 254c/kg, av 227.3c/kg, top $1471.10p/hd, av $1287.92p/hd.
Bulls (700+kg): Top 232c/kg, av 208.8c/kg, top $2385.60p/hd, av $1800.45p/hd.
Light heifers (0-350kg): Top 255c/kg, av 131.4c/kg, top $846.60p/hd, av $367.46p/hd.
Light steers (0-350kg): Top 225c/kg, av 180.4c/kg, top $715.50p/hd, av $560.92p/hd.
Trade heifers (351-500kg): Top 265c/kg, av 218.9c/kg, top $1206.63p/hd, av $950.42p/hd.
Trade steers (351-500kg): Top 270c/kg, av 214.6c/kg, top $1204.20p/hd, av $877.32p/hd.
Heavy heifers (500+kg): Top 235c/kg, av 223.3c/kg, top $1568.64p/hd, av $1232.60p/hd.
Heavy steers (500+kg): Top 266c/kg, av 241.8c/kg, top $2018.04p/hd, av $1533.50p/hd.
Grown heifers: Top 226c/kg, av 221.4c/kg, top $1251.80p/hd, av $1196.12p/hd.
Grown steers: Top 262c/kg, av 250.1c/kg, top $2033.53p/hd, $1768.60p/hd.
Cows: Top 245c/kg, av 204.6c/kg, top $1876.25p/hd, av $1137.06p/hd.
Bullocks: Top 260c/kg, av 248.8c/kg, top $2063.36p/hd, av $1469.70p/hd.
