PHOTO: DR & GM Lucas presented this great pen of Angus bullocks at WVLX Mortlake that Elders Kerr & Co sold for a top of 215c/kg, averaging $1675ph.
Due to the prevailing dry spring being experienced in the Western Districts, numbers increased substantially to 1,990 cattle this week at Mortlake representing an increase of 1,000 head on the previous market. Trade cattle on offer displayed excellent quality as did most lines including bullocks and manufacturing steers. Again, there was a large offering of both beef and dairy cows where most of the regular buyers were in attendance with some not operating on a yarding that consisted of 470 grown cattle, 780 trade types, 720 cows and 30 grown bulls.
Grown cattle and manufacturing steers along with trade cattle remained firm with the cow market remaining firm to slightly softer in places by 5c/kg with bulls easier by 15c/kg. The good vealers on offer made from 145c to 240c/kg with the trade steers and heifers selling between 163c and 235c/kg. Grown cattle topped at 216c/kg with manufacturing steers selling from 130c to 198c/kg. The better beef cows sold from 165c to 188c/kg with the medium weights realizing between 140c and 170c/kg. Dairy cows were generally from 132c to 176c/kg with the grown beef bulls topping at 212c/kg.