PHOTO: Topping the WVLX market at 435c/kg was this pen of Limousin heifers that Charles Stewart Nash McVilly sold on behalf of Miranee North P/L, averaging $1754ph.
Mortlake agents yarded 1930 cattle this week at the WVLX market, being a slight decrease on the previous market. There was a good lead in the bullocks offered and they did tail off quickly to the manufacturing types on offer. Big improvement overall with the trade weight cattle along with some well finished grainfeds. Lighter numbers of good heavy beef cows was evident with more plainer and dairy types available to most of the regular buyers that were present however not all were fully engaged. Feeder and restocker interest was active for suitable lines. The offering consisted of 200 grown cattle along with 625 trade weights with over 1,000 cows and 66 bulls.
The market remained strong over most categories with the heavier weighted grown cattle gaining 10 to 20c/kg mainly for heifers with steers remaining firm and the best of the trade cattle improving 10 to 15c/kg and more in places relative to quality. Manufacturing types gained 20 to 25c/kg. Better cows remained firm with the lighter weights showing good gains from 20 to 30c/kg and bulls were up to 45c/kg dearer in places.
Trade steers and heifers made from 340c to 435c/kg with grown cattle topping at 400c/kg. Manufacturing steers sold to 340c with crossbred steers selling to 378c/kg. Heavy beef cows sold from 290c to 355c with the medium weights from 240c to 280c/kg. The better covered dairy cows were generally between 228c and 312c/kg with grown beef bulls selling to 348c/kg.