PHOTO: Topping the prime market today was this pen of Angus steers that Nutrien Ag sold for 348c/kg, averaging $2008ph for CL & GL Pickering.
There was a reduction in numbers at the Mortlake prime market today yarding 1,468 cattle, 524 less than the market last week. There was a good lead in the yarding, however there was a larger number of very plain and secondary types on offer, particularly in the trade weights. The market comprised 243 grown cattle along with 623 trad, 582 cows and 20 grown bulls.
The grown cattle and bullocks displayed good weights and finish in line with the good cow offering which included a mixture of beef and dairy types along with a percentage of lightweights. Not all the regular buyers were present or actively operating, however there was some restocker interest in a market that was firm to slightly stronger for the better end of the trade cattle, bullocks and grown heifers. The plainer secondary types were cheaper by 30 to 40c/kg and more in places. Heavy and medium weight cows gained 10 to 20c/kg and grown bulls sold firm.
A small number of vealers made to 293c/kg with trade weight steers and heifers selling between 290c and 348c/kg. Grown cattle topped at 344c/kg. Manufacturing steers sold up to 238c with heavy beef cows selling from 200c to 268c/kg. Medium weight cows sold from 170c to 210/kg with the better covered dairy breeds generally realizing between 175 and 222c/kg. Grown bulls topped at 230c/kg.