PHOTO: Basil Hall presented this pen of Angus bullocks that Elders Kerr & Co sold for a top of 256c/kg, averaging $1485ph.
Mortlake agents yarded 625 head this week at WVLX representing a decrease of 180 head on last week’s market. Grown cattle offering doubled this week consisting of a larger percentage of manufacturing type steers. Cows numbers were back overall with more beef types on offer. The quality of trade cattle improved. Not all regular buyers were operating to capacity on a yarding that consisted of 320 grown cattle, 130 trade, 150 cows and 25 grown bulls. Feeder interest was subdued and store competition was sporadic on the trade lines.
Grown steers firm with heavy heifers losing 20c/kg. Manufacturing steers remained firm, however, the real heavy end slipped 15c/kg. Trade cattle gained 10c to 15c/kg in places relative to quality. Beef cows slipped 15c and the dairy cows lost 10c/kg.
Trade steers and heifers made between 190c and 275c/kg. Grown cattle topped at 264c/kg with manufacturing steers from 130c to 198c/kg. Good beef cows sold from 150c to 168c with the medium weights between 130c and 148c/kg. Dairy cows sold generally between 135c and 165c/kg with grown beef bulls to 200c/kg and dairy bulls to 180c/kg.