PHOTO: Richard Draffen of Heatherlie Farms sold 200 Angus cattle at WVLX Mortlake, including weaner steers (321kg) to $1059ph, grown heifers (321kg) to $777ph and weaner heifers (227kg) to $500ph.
The WVLX Mortlake fortnightly store sale penned just over 4,000. The quality varied, well-bred older steers presented in good condition, with a large portion of the yarding showing the effects of the very cold and dry conditions. The yarding consisted mostly of Angus, Angus x Friesian and crossbreds. Most of the usual buyers were on the rail with a few extras entering the competition from South Australia, Gippsland and locally in a market that had mixed results. Yearling and grown steers with good weight and cover to feed on sold to 10c/kg either side of firm, while most other weights and grades sold cheaper to a fortnight ago with quality and condition a factor. On the comparison market to a month ago young cattle sold from 5c to 20c better and yearling and grown sold 10c to 30c dearer for the heavier weights. The lightweight plainer secondary types again sold to a cheaper trend.
Weaner Angus steers selling from 260c to 376c, Black baldys and Herefords made from 220c to 350c and Euro cross steers sold from 188c to 352c/kg. Angus x Friesian steers sold from 212c to 256c and the Friesian steers made from 134c to 172c/kg. Grown Angus steers sold from 250c to 400c, Black baldys and Herefords made from 270c to 370c and Euro cross steers sold from 220c to 334c/kg. Angus x Friesian steers sold from 160c to 376c and Friesian steers made from 130c to 228c/kg.
Weaner Angus heifers sold from 172c to 292c, Black blaldys and Herefords sold from 170c to 300c/kg. Euro cross heifers made from 140c to 280c, and Angus x Friesian heifers sold from 120c to 268c/kg. Grown and yearling Angus heifers made from 226c to 348c. Black Baldys, Herefords and Euro breeds sold from 200c to 334c/kg. Angus x Friesian heifers sold from 160c to 330c/kg.
PTIC Heifers made from $700 to $1520/head with limited numbers offered. Cow and calf units made from $1040 to $1825/head for the better quality and $650 to $950/head for the secondary plainer types.