PHOTO: Tim Kosch of Dundonnell, with son Will, sold 26 Angus X weaner steers at Mortlake through Charles Stewart Nash McVilly for 340-364c/kg, averaging $1064-$1205ph.
The WVLX Mortlake fortnightly store sale yarded 5,767, the cattle mostly consisted of well bred Angus steers and heifers with a small portion of Black Baldys, Herefords and euro breeds. Throughout the yarding cattle were showing the signs of the cold dry conditions over the Western District. More buyers were on the rail from South Australia, New South Wales, Gippsland and locally. The market opened strong with buyers gaining momentum over the heavier grown steers to feed on. The sale was 20c to 40c dearer in places to a fortnight ago, however quality improved over the yarding, the better quality weaner steers sold to 20c dearer, grown and yearling steers sold 15c to 20c/kg dearer to the comparison market 4 weeks ago. Weaner heifers sold firm, most part of the offering were light weights, while the grown and yearling heifers gained 10c/kg. The lightweight plainer secondary types become cheaper as the sale progressed.
Weaner Angus steers selling from 350c to 432c for the better quality and the plainer secondary types sold from 290c to 340c/kg. Black Baldy’s made from 326c to 354c, Herefords made from 270c to 328c and the Euro and Crossbreds sold from 244c to 336c/kg. Grown and yearling steers sold well with Angus steers selling from 304c to 402c, Black Baldy’s made from 280c to 390c, and Herefords made from 300c to 358c/kg.
Weaner Angus heifers sold from 220c to 332c/kg. Grown and yearling Angus heifers made from 280c to 378c for the better quality and from 220c to 275c/kg for the plainer types. Herefords and Euro breeds sold from 200c to 318c/kg.