PHOTO: This pen of bullocks reached a top of 326c/kg under the Elders Kerr & Co hammer at today’s WVLX Prime Market, with the loin marked Angus returning $2086 for Jake Gellie, and the other 2 Limousin X bullocks averaging $1860ph for BG & JM Rethus.
Numbers increased this week to 1,406 head at the WVLX Mortlake Prime Market representing an increase of 116 on the previous week’s market. It was a good offering over most categories in the lead cattle, however cover and quality fell away quickly with a larger tail of crossbred cattle and with the trade cattle more so. Good weight was on offer for the grown cattle and bullocks being similar for the good mix of beef and dairy breeds on offer in the cow run albeit with less weight than the previous market. Not all the regular processors were present or active in a much stronger market over most categories. The yarding consisted of 343 grown cattle, 596 trade weights along with 450 cows and 17 grown bulls.
Bullocks gained 15 to 20c/kg and good vealers were stronger by 30 to 40c/kg. Trade steers and heifers were dearer by 20c/kg and the better covered cows remained firm with the medium to lightweight cows back some 8c/kg. Bulls gained 15c/kg and secondary cattle were 30c/kg softer.
Vealers this week made from 252c to 392c/kg. Trade steers and heifers were selling from 285c to 346c/kg. Grown cattle topped at 326c with manufacturing steers selling up to 240c/kg. Heavy beef cows sold from 220c to 260c/kg with medium weights selling between 165c and 210c/kg. Dairy cows were generally between 165c and 230c with grown beef bulls to 240c/kg.