Northern prices stay strong

23-01-2012 | Not Specified

Northern prices stay strong
Sales are again in full swing around the country after the Christmas/New Year break. Markets have remained strong in the North Island, and recent rain in Southland could explain strengthening demand there, although demand for store lambs in Mid Canterbury was down.
The market at PUKEKOHE continued its very strong trends, with steers to $1,800 and heifers $1,175 on Saturday January 14, reported Chris Humphrey of Livestock Mart Auctions. Very few yearling cattle are coming on the market at present, and the weaner cattle are selling exceptionally well.
Bay of Plenty vendors continued a steady flow of cattle to the RANGIURU centre, with another good sized entry last Wednesday selling at current rates.
As the grass market keeps its strength it was another strong sale this week at RONGOTEA.
A large yarding of prime cattle saw values back 5c/kg for both steers and heifers while heavy bulls eased up to 15c/kg at TEMUKA. A small yarding of both store and prime lambs saw prices firm on the previous sale while medium and light prime ewes also eased on the previous week by $6-$8/head.
There was a medium yarding of prime sheep at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday, with strong demand bringing prices up on par with pre-Christmas rates.

NORTHLAND
The New Year selling season started prosperously for cattle vendors at WELLSFORD last Monday, with an abundance of grass throughout the North Island, reported Grant Pallister of PGG Wrightson.
Eighteen-month steers 380-430kg, $2.50-$2.66/kgLW, 350-380kg $2.41-$2. /kgLW, 300-340kg $2.29-$2.76/kgLW. Eighteen-month bulls 260-360kg $2.48-$2.65/kgLW. Eighteen-month heifers 350-380kg $2.40-$2.54/kgLW, 260-320kg $2.35-$2.68/kgLW.
Weaner steers 100-195kg $3.46-$4.24/kgLW, weaner heifers 130-180kg $3.00-$3.80/kgLW, 98-115kg $3.75-$4.18/kgLW.
There was a lack of numbers in prime cattle available due to surplus of feed and strong store market values. Heavy steers $2.43-$2.48/kgLW, medium $2.32-$2.38/kgLW. Heavy heifers $2.27-$2.34/kgLW, heavy cows $1.83-$2.00/kgLW, medium $1.45-$1.62/kgLW.
It's a "Happy New Year" if you are a sheep breeder.
Heavy prime lambs $133-$136, medium $126-$130, light $115-$121. Heavy store lambs $106-$113, medium $93-$101, small $82-$86. Heavy cull ewes $132-$141, medium $110-$121, light $61-$91.

AUCKLAND
The market at PUKEKOHE continued its very strong trends, with steers to $1,800 and heifers $1,175 on Saturday January 14, reported Chris Humphrey of Livestock Mart Auctions. Very few yearling cattle are coming on the market at present, and the weaner cattle are selling exceptionally well.
Best steers $1,245-$1,800, other steers $800-$1,085, medium weaner steers $490-$520, other crossbred steers $435-$480, small steers $380.
Medium prime heifers $990-$1,175, other 2-year heifers $825-$940, light crossbred heifers $620-$720, medium weaner heifers $430-$500, other crossbred heifers $285-$390.

COUNTIES
Last Thursday's store cattle sale at TUAKAU attracted a good line-up of weaners which sold on a buoyant grass market, PGG Wrightson agent Roy Allen said.
Only a handful of older steers were presented in a mixed-quality offering of "bits and pieces". Thirty-month steers at 521-575kg sold at $1225-$1345, with 20-month Angus-Friesian steers, 306-387kg, making $785-$970 and Hereford-Friesian brindle steers, 360-365kg, $845-$900. Hereford-Friesian whiteheads, 316-328kg, earned $805-$825 and Friesian-cross steers, 322kg, fetched $705.
Allen said a good yarding of weaner steers met strong demand. Hereford-Friesian whiteheads at 152-168kg returned $605-$640, with 132-141kg sorts earning $585-$600 and 112-121kg steers making $535-$560. Even lighter types sold well, with those in the 96-104kg range yielding $490-$520. Some 201kg Angus steers fetched $640, and Angus-Friesian steers at 99-116kg made $455-$505. Red-bodied whiteheads, 124-137kg, returned $490-$530. Weaner bulls also sold well, with 160kg whiteheads making $610 and Friesian bulls, 167kg, $550. Lighter Friesian bulls at 125-130kg made $438-$463.
The quality of the older heifers was more even than the steers. Hereford-Friesian 20-month whitehead heifers, 299-329kg, returned $2.41-$2.49/kgLW, or $750-$800, and Angus-Friesian types, 314-356kg, earned a similar rate, making $780-$860. Simmental-Friesian heifers at 354kg made $2.71/kgLW, or $960, and another cut at 293-318kg earned $2.60-$2.73/kgLW, or $800-$820. Angus heifers, 298-346kg, fetched $2.49-$2.53/kgLW, or $755-$865.
Quality of the weaner heifer offering was good, with a nice pen of Angus weaners at 190kg making $600. Hereford-Friesian whiteheads, 142-151kg, sold at $510-$520, with 121-130kg types earning $460-$470 and 100-114kg sorts, $410-$450.
A total of 827 cattle were yarded.
Steers, heifers and boners held value at last Wednesday's prime sale, Allen said. The steer offering included heavy Santa Gertrudis and Shorthorn-cross steers, 740-865kg, which sold at $2.45-$2.49/kgLW. Other mostly whitehead steers in the 620-677kg weight range earned $2.40-$2.44/kgLW and 550-611kg sorts returned $2.36-$2.44/kgLW, with the top rate paid for 576kg Angus steers. Friesian steers at 550-570kg fetched $2.27-$2.29/kgLW.
Heavy heifers, 590-620kg, made $2.36-$2.37/kgLW, with 490-522kg whiteheads earning $2.32-$2.36/kgLW and 481kg Charolais heifers selling at $2.38/kgLW. Whitehead heifers in the 450-470kg range returned $2.29-$2.32/kgLW and 517-528kg Friesians fetched $2.02-$2.13/kgLW. Empty Friesian cows, 538kg-plus, made $1.77-$1.79/kgLW and Friesian cows at 498-570kg returned $1.62-$1.68/kgLW.
Allen said the sale included a large number of bulls "as is usual at this time of year". Extra heavy types at 865-940kg made $2.31-$2.37/kgLW and heavy Herefords, 655-735kg, $2.77-$2.83/kgLW. Whitehead bulls at 546kg earned $2.69/kgLW and Friesians at 560kg, $2.72/kgLW.
Tuakau hosted its annual ewe fair on January 13, with 5500 sheep yarded. Allen said the exceptional sale achieved an average price of just under $200/head.

BAY OF PLENTY
Bay of Plenty vendors continued a steady flow of cattle to the RANGIURU centre, with another good sized entry last Wednesday selling at current rates. "A good sound sale" was how PGG Wrightson's Neill Penman described it.
Heavier cattle in all classes are bringing quite big money. The best of the older steers traded at $1400-$1695, $2.34-$2.49/kgLW and a tidy offering of 480-580kg steers brought $1160-$1380, $2.26-$2.42/kgLW. Younger steers over 250kg made $605-$660 for the smaller sorts and $920-$1010 for the bigger steers. Variation in quality meant the lesser lines made $1.86-$2.20/kgLW and the others, $2.53-$2.74/kgLW.
Solid heifers brought $1120-$1215, $2.27-$2.28/kgLW, the 400-480kg lines fetching $955-$1090, $2.34-$2.41/kgLW. Most of the younger heifers sold in the $570-$595 range with one extra good line selling for $810.
A small lot of 710kg bulls returned $2010, $2.83/kgLW with bulls weighing better than 480kg making $1385-$1700, $2.53-$2.73/kgLW and $710-$835 secured lighter bulls, $2.42-$2.44/kgLW.
In the prime cattle section heavy bulls topped at $2170, $2.44-$2.80/kgLW, ox made $1175-$1430, $2.28-$2.52/kgLW and $1070-$1235 took heavy heifers, $2.05-$2.35/kgLW. A couple of extra heavy boner cows realized $1270 and $1290, $1.93-$2.00/kgLW and 400-480kg boners sold at $630-$750, $1.42-$1.56/kgLW.
Weaner heifers 100-120kg made $325- $432, $2.77-$3.86/kgLW and a pen of 129kg heifers fetched $452, $3.48/kgLW. A handful of weaner steers sold at $350-$492, $2.60-$3.86/kgLW and good weaner bulls went to $560, $2.69/kgLW.
A small entry of sheep comprised mainly prime lambs which made to $170 while some ewes suitable for breeding made $171 and small store lambs turned over at $79.

WAIKATO
Returns for ox remained strong at FRANKTON's prime fixture on Wednesday, and heifers and cow rates were steady. Buyers showed some resistance on the heavier bulls, reported NZ Farmers Livestock.
A pen of 915kg ox recorded $1921, $2.10/kgLW and ox in the 700kg bracket realized $1753-$1896, $2.33-$2.40/kgLW. Ox weighing 600kg and better produced $1476-$1709, $2.35-$2.50/kgLW and others made $1248-$1386.The heaviest heifers at 650kg brought $1560, $2.40/kgLW and other high yielding pens fetched $1203-$1392, $2.27-$2.36/kgLW. Lighter sorts were $832-$925.
Prime cows between 500-600kg made $1012-$1273, $1.71-$1.94/kgLW and there were sales at $861-$923, $1.73-$1.80/kgLW. Most bulls were either Hereford or Angus and they sold at $1800-$2075, $1.50-$2.50/kgLW. Friesian bulls at 510kg made $1162, $2.28/kgLW. Boner cows sold in a range of $1.20-$1.66/kgLW, those with weight making $709-$940 and lighter, $420-$468, $1.20-$1.30/kgLW.
In the sheep section, prime lambs made $140-$170 and down to $120 while store lambs fetched $100-$120 and $85. Ewes continue to sell well at $105-$135 with plain at $80.
Buyers took a more cautious approach at Frankton store sale last Thursday with cattle numbers a bit bigger than the previous week, a smaller bench not helping. Yearlings were the largest group with around 400 head, the lighter steers and heifers losing a little ground. Most 2 ½ year steers were Hereford/Friesian or Friesian and the best of these still made $1090-$1200, $2.16-42.55/kgLW. $870-$985 bought the medium lines, 344-404kg, $2.11-$2.53/kgLW. A 455kg line of Friesian yearling steers made $1005, the only lot to break $1000 while pens weighing 300-388kg sold at $830-$980, $2.03-$2.63/kgLW. Smaller steers less than 300kg made $580-$650. Three pens of weaner steers sold at $465-$552, $3.24-$3.76/kgLW and two lots of weaner bulls were $492 and $500, $3.32 and $3.79/kgLW. Hereford 2 ½ year bulls traded at $1410-$1570, $2.66-$2.75/kgLW and better Friesian bulls went at $1005-$1255, $2.35-$2.60/kgLW. Yearling jersey bulls, all over 300kg, made $680-$775, $1.87-$2.30/kgLW. Hereford/Friesian bulls traded at $810-$910, $2.26-$2.51/kgLW and Friesian yearling bulls returned a top of $930, $2.12/kgLW with others making $730-$745 and smaller $610-$660, $1.83-$2.19/kgLW. Good whiteface yearling heifers at 444kg sold for $1040, $2.34/kgLW and a line of similar Herefords at 413kg brought $995, $2.41/kgLW. $805-$895 secured many lines, the smaller sorts fetching $590-$640, $1.79-$2.60/kgLW. A total of 32 weaner heifers made $365-$452, $1.97-$$3.48/kgLW

TARANAKI
With another large yarding of bulls at STRATFORD on Tuesday the market remained strong, reported Sandra Engelen of NZ Farmers Livestock Ltd.
Prime Angus/Friesian steers 605kg $2.33/kgLW, prime Hereford-cross heifers 476.5kg $2.25/kgLW, prime purebred Hereford heifers 600kg-715kg $2.21-$2.245/kgLW, prime crossbred heifers 495kg $2.25/kgLW, prime purebred Hereford cows 817.5kg $1.90/kgLW.
Thirty-month Angus/Friesian steers 505kg $2.29/kgLW, 30-month Hereford/Friesian heifers 545kg $2.32/kgLW, 2-year Murray Grey steers 456.7kg $2.16/kgLW, 2-year Hereford-cross steers 495kg $2.36/kgLW, 2-year Hereford/Friesian steers 485kg-510kg $2.38-$2.39/kgLW.
18-month Hereford-cross rig 470kg $2.30/kgLW, Hereford-cross cows 420kg $1.51/kgLW, Hereford/Friesian cows 595kg $1.60/kgLW.
Store Ayrshire cows 520kg $1.45/kgLW, store crossbred cows 416kg $1.31/kgLW, store Friesian cows 375-600kg $1.26-$1.71/kgLW, store Jersey-cross cows 457kg $1.30/kgLW, store Jersey cows 465kg $1.47/kgLW.
Four-year Murray Grey bulls 915kg $2.28/kgLW, 3-year Hereford bulls 625-900kg $2.48-2.68/kgLW,
3-year Jersey-cross bulls 585kg $2.625/kgLW, 3-year Friesian bulls 915kg $2.34/kgLW, 3-year Angus bulls 690-850kg $2.55-$2.65/kgLW, 30-month Friesian bulls 550-595kg $2.49-$2.53/kgLW, 30-month Hereford bulls 645kg $2.67/kgLW, 30-month Ayrshire bulls 531.7kg $2.46/kgLW, 2-year Hereford bulls 520-655kg $2.57-$2.85/kgLW, 2-year Hereford-cross bulls 595kg $2.63/kgLW.
Two-year Jersey bulls 401-527kg $2.04-$2.495/kgLW, 2-year Ayrshire bulls 515-685kg $2.43-$2.645/kgLW, 2-year crossbred bulls 460kg $2.16/kgLW, 2-year Angus bulls 472.5-627.5kg $2.69-$2.76/kgLW, 2-year purebred Murray Grey bulls 550kg $2.64/kgLW, 2-year Murray Grey bulls 572.5kg $2.65/kgLW, 2-year Friesian bulls 572.5kg $2.65/kgLW, 20-month Jersey bulls 460kg $2.245/kgLW.
Two-year Jersey bulls 360-402.5kg $825-$950, 2-year purebred Angus bulls 422.5kg $1200, 20-month Jersey bulls 385-480kg $900-$1100, 20-month Friesian-cross bulls 400kg $840, 18-month Ayrshire bulls 392.5-402.5kg $800-$885, 18-month Jersey bulls 300-385kg $710-$920, 18-month purebred Hereford bulls 345kg $650, 15-month Jersey bulls 332.5-337.5kg $710-$820, 1-year Ayrshire bulls 335kg $700, 1-year Jersey bulls 310kg $780.
Well bred sheep sold in line with current markets on Wednesday, with 2-tooths making up to $220, 5-years up $160.50 and 6-years up $146, with no ewes under $100.
Prime Hereford/Friesian heifers 557.5kg $1240, prime Angus/Friesian heifers 435kg $935, 30-month Angus/Friesian steers 582.9kg $1360, 30-month White Galloway-cross steers 582.5kg $1350, 30-month Hereford-cross steers 529.2kg-576kg $1170-$1350, 30-month Hereford/Friesian steers 446kg-582.9kg $1000-$1360, 30-month Hereford/Friesian/Angus steers 511.7kg $1175, 30-month Murray Grey/Friesian steers 522.5kg-582.5kg $1190-$1350, 30-month Friesian steers 545kg $1185, 30-month Hereford/Friesian heifers 400kg $850, 2-year Hereford-cross steers 415kg-540kg $850-$1130, 2-year Friesian steers 365kg $550, 2-year Friesian-cross steers 470kg $965, 2-year crossbred steers 356.7kg-385kg $580-$770, 2-year Simmental-cross steers 407.5kg $935, 2-year Angus/Friesian steers 365kg $735, 2-year Charolais-cross heifers 351kg $760, 2-year Angus/Friesian heifers 425kg $910, 2-year Red Angus heifers 355kg $710.
Eighteen-month Hereford-cross steers 300kg-417.5kg $600-$918, 18-month Hereford/Friesian steers 325kg-455kg $755-$1060, 18-month Friesian steers 400kg $885, 15-month Angus/Friesian steers 213.3kg-380kg $570-$850, 15-month Angus-cross steers 280kg $620, 15-month Hereford/Friesian steers 207kg-266.7kg $550-$660, 15-month Hereford-cross steers 210kg-315kg $540-$660, 15-month Simmental-cross steers 207.5kg $575,
15-month Friesian steers 245kg-326.3kg $460-$645, 15-month RWB Charolais heifers 265kg-405kg $500-$835,
15-month RWB Hereford-cross heifers 220kg $495, 15-month Hereford/Friesian heifers 274kg-331.7kg $610-$695, 15-month Angus/Friesian heifers 283.3kg-285kg $610-$620, 15-month Friesian heifers 230kg $410.
Angus-cross cow and two runners 425kg $790,
One-year purebred Charolais bull 325kg $740, 1-year Simmental-cross steers 347.5kg $810, weaner crossbred heifers 200kg $360, weaner Hereford-cross bulls 232.5kg $580.
Six-year Suffolk ewes $106, 6-year Romney ewes $112-$146, 6-year Romney/Perendale-cross ewes $136, 6-year ewes $105-$134, 5-year Romney ewes $146-$160.50, 5-year ewes $130-$161, 4-year 4-tooth Perendale ewes $138-$146, 2-tooth ewes $170-$186, 2-tooth Romney ewes $156-$222, 2-tooth Perendale ewes $166, ewes $104, mixed age Romney ewes $138, ram lambs $100, purebred Suffolk ram lambs $145, wether lambs $96-$107, ewe lambs $92.50-$99, mixed sex lambs $96-$114.
With a yarding of 1500 weaners at last Thursday's dairy beef weaner fair at Stratford the market once again lifted to new levels.
Weaner Hereford/Friesian bulls 88.1kg-165kg $408-$608, weaner Hereford-cross bulls 106.3kg-175kg $410-$560, weaner crossbred bulls 70kg-190kg $100-$375, weaner Angus/Friesian bulls 112.8kg-192.5kg $465-$515, weaner Friesian bulls 93.6kg-200.4kg $375-$580, weaner Friesian cross bulls 161.3kg $350, weaner Red Friesian bulls 125kg $250, weaner Charolais bulls 120kg $415, weaner Simmental cross bulls 135kg $460, weaner Devon cross bulls 193.3kg $545.
Weaner Jersey heifers 165kg $340, weaner Hereford/Friesian heifers 99kg-143.8kg $310-$480, weaner Hereford cross heifers 107kg-110.8kg $420-$440, weaner Murray Grey cross heifers 100kg-105kg $290-$390, weaner Angus/Friesian heifers 95kg-155.1kg $320-$485, weaner Angus heifers 134.2kg $430, weaner Ayrshire heifers 95kg $225, weaner Simmental cross heifers 128.8kg $400, weaner crossbred heifers 171.7kg $280.
Weaner ¾ Hereford steers 109.2kg $460, weaner Hereford cross steers 77.2kg-114.3kg $362-$450, weaner Hereford/Friesian steers 88.1kg-215kg $408-$635, weaner Murray Grey cross steers 111kg-137.5kg $460-$470, weaner Angus/Friesian steers 99.2kg-126.7kg $438-$465, weaner Guernsey cross steers 190kg $350, autumn-born Friesian steers 205kg $400.

POVERTY BAY
The February cattle fair at MATAWHERO was a small one with just over 1000 head penned. The main attraction for a small but active bench was the 275 head of forward conditioned 2½-year steers. Almost all would have tipped the scales at well over 500 kg. $1335-$1430 bought solid Charolais, an estimated $2.62-$2.67/kgLW and good Angus cross fetched $1290-$1390, $2.45-42.57/kgLW, the slightly smaller sorts fetching $1045-$1150, $2.24-$2.35/kgLW.
The 18-month steers were somewhat mixed with many small lines and most were of medium frame score. The best made $1140-$1220,$2.47-$2.56/kgLW while more medium lots brought $870-$915. A couple of pens of empty 3-year heifers made $1015 and $1025, $2.20-$2.30/kgLW and the 18-month heifers were similar to their steer brothers, small lines and mixed quality. The better lots went to $950 and most of the rest were $722-$767.
Well bred Hereford bulls commanded strong interest. 2 ½ year lots made $1160-$1250, $2.76-$2.77/kgLW and good 18-month bulls fetched $1050-$1380, $2.50-$2.87/kgLW. Medium Friesian bulls sold around $800-$880 and a handful of cows with calves were $1275-$1300.
Buyers were offered a bigger selection of lambs at MATAWHERO on Friday where 2800 were offered. Quality and size was quite mixed with a good many smaller late lambs from high country, and the same air of caution as seen at outside sales crept in.
Lambs with size and weight did sell freely enough, good males making $109-$120 and mediums were $85.50-$90, the smaller ones selling around $70. Good weighty ewe lambs fetched $100-$113 with small at $74-$76.Small mixed sex made $52-$83. Prime ewes brought $117.50-$120 and very heavy lambs $152, the lighter lambs making $95-$125.50. Store ewes sold at $77-$105. The total yarding was 3170 head.

HAWKE'S BAY
After decent sized yardings of breeding ewes, Wednesday's store sale at STORTFORD LODGE was almost a reaction, with fewer than 3000 lambs and 115 mixed cattle.
While prices for better lambs showed a very slight easing, some of the small and very small lambs are still stretching $4.00/kgLW as many buyers seem to want to pay $100 and less. Male lambs with some weight still realized $118-$125, the medium types bringing $105-$111 and under 22kg lots were $93. Mixed sex lambs went as high as $136 for near killable, $117-$125 bought mediums and $97.50, the under 22 kg lots. The ewe lambs were medium and made $101-$110. No ewes were recorded.
In the cattle rostrum it was mainly locals who provided good competition for the rather mixed bag. Thirteen was the biggest number in any pen and Simmental cows VIC sold at a respectable $1270 while the same number of Friesian cows with calves made $1040. RWB cow brought $1210 and four Simmental cows and calves were $1310. Useful Angus 1 ½-year heifers made $878, $2.55/kgLW and Hereford/Friesian cross heifers returned $502-$590, $2.35-$2.42/kgLW. A total of 38 weaner bulls saw beef-bred over 220kg make $700-$730, $2.92-$3.10/kgLW and Hereford/Friesian better than 100kg sell at $410-$460, $3.25-$4.04/kgLW. The only line of Angus yearling steers, at 339kg, sold at $930, $2.74/kgLW.

MANAWATU
As the grass market keeps its strength it was another strong sale this week at RONGOTEA, reported Tim White of New Zealand Farmers Livestock. A good range of big cattle went through the ring.
Some big 2-year Hereford bulls went through the ring with the tops making $1,820 ($2.67/kgLW), 2-year Friesian bulls made $1,270 ($2.41/kgLW) and 2-year Jersey bulls sold for $1,060 ($2.40/kgLW).
Two-year whiteface heifers made up to $1,450 ($2.29/kgLW) other smaller animals made $785 ($2.56/kgLW). Charolais cross 2-year heifers reached $1,210 ($2.27/kgLW). Charolais cross 2-year steers made $1,220 ($2.36/kgLW) and whiteface 2-year steers sold for $1735 ($2.36/kgLW). Murray Grey 15-month heifers sold for $560 ($2.32/kgLW) and 15-month Belted Galloway heifers made $685 ($2.19/kgLW). 15-month Jersey bulls made $787 ($2.05/kgLW) and 15-month Friesian bulls made $1,230 ($2.76/kgLW). Yearling crossbred bulls made up to $730 ($2.43/kgLW). Friesian weaner steers made $350 ($2.69/kgLW) and whiteface weaner steers made $410. Weaner whiteface heifers sold for $495 ($2.77/kgLW) and lighter whiteface weaner heifers made $440 ($4/kgLW). Whiteface weaner bulls sold well with some lines making up to $495 ($4.02/kgLW), Friesian weaner bulls made $500 ($3.40/kgLW). There were just a couple of dairy lines in this week - in-milk cows sold for $972 and an in-calf Friesian cow made $1,535. Boner cows made up to $940 ($1.57/kgLW).
There were just a few lines of sheep this week. Mixed sex lambs made $131, store lambs at $134 and ewes made $137. Rams made up to $155.
There were over 100 calves in this week and the bidding was hot on them too. Whiteface bulls made $265 down to $225, Friesian bulls sold for $190, Angus bulls made $215 and crossbred bulls at $155. In the heifer pen there were whitefaces making $250 and Angus at $185. A couple of Friesian heifers made $100.
The ewe fair at FEILDING last Thursday saw around 20,000 head on the market, reported Damian Clarke of Elders.
The top pen of 2-tooth ewes sold at $290, with a couple of very good lines reaching $270. Good 2-tooths sold at $240-$260, medium $210-$230 and small $200.
A top line of 5-year ewes reached $213, with two lines at $200. Good 5-years reached $160-$190. Good 6-years sold at $140-$150, and medium at $125-$135.
The best lambs at Friday's Feilding sale sold at $130-$133, with good males fetching $120-$126, medium $112-$118. Good blackface lambs went for $133, medium $115-$123 and small $100-$105. Medium to good ewe lambs were fetching $110-$115, with smaller lines at $95-$100.
The cattle market in Feilding eased a little on Friday, Darrin Holm of Elders reported, although that may be because the quality was not as good as previous sales. Yearling heifers were still solid, selling at $2.40-$2.60/kgLW, but 18-month steers eased up to 10-20c/kgLW to sell at $2.40-$2.60/kgLW. The 2 1/2 -year steers were down around 10c/kgLW to sell at $2.50-$2.60/kgLW, with 2 ½-year bulls also making $2.50-$2.60/kgLW.

CANTERBURY
The best prime lambs at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday sold for up to $165, with mediums reaching $135-$155 and lights making $120- $135.
A medium sized yarding of store lambs sold on a par with last week. The best lambs sold for $105-$110, with the odd sale to $116. Mediums made $90-$100 and light $75-$85.
A good yarding of prime ewes saw prices remain strong. Heavy ewes sold for $145 to $160, with an exceptional sale at $185. Mediums made $125-$135 and light $100-$115.
In the prime cattle ring, nine steers sold at $1363-$1436, eight steers at $1315-$1708, four steers at $1320-$1398, three steers at $1445-$1598, one steer at $1849, two steers at $1063, one steer at $1387, three steers at $1298, four heifers at $1243-$1299, one heifer at $1254, six heifers at $1058-$1340, four heifers at $1180, one heifer at $1271, two heifers at $950-$1295, three heifers at $1063-$1328, 10 heifers at $969-$1080, one heifer at $1238, two heifers at $1309-$1353, two heifers at $1209, one bull at $1542, two bulls at $1153-$1452, and two bulls at $1100-$1188.
A small yarding of store cattle saw prices for steers from $880 to $920, with heifers ranging from $610 to $880.
There was no cattle sale at COALGATE last week, reported Phil Manera of Hazlett Rural. In a very light yarding of sheep, top prime lambs made $160-$168, good $150-$160, medium $135-$140, light $115-$125. Top prime butchers ewes were $155-$165, good $140-$150, medium $130-$138, light $108-$120. Culls made $60-$75.

MID CANTERBURY
A good yarding of prime stock was sold at TINWALD with prime lambs lifting up to $15/head and prime sheep also strengthening in a good market that saw values up $6-$12 on the previous sale, PGG Wrightson livestock representative Jeremy Lewthwaite reported. On the other hand store lambs eased up to $10/head in line with less demand given the numbers of southern lambs that had hit Mid Canterbury pastures over the past couple of weeks.
The best of the good heavy prime lambs fetched $180-$190, heavy types $160-$175, medium $135-$155 and light $110-$130.
Good heavy prime ewes earned up to $180 with other heavy types returning $150-$165, medium $120-$145 and light $95-$115.
In the store section an advertised line of black face station lambs sold well making $92-$105. All other store lambs ranged from $77 to $91 for better lambs.

SOUTH CANTERBURY
A large yarding of prime cattle saw values back 5c/kg for both steers and heifers while heavy bulls eased up to 15c/kg at TEMUKA. A small yarding of both store and prime lambs saw prices firm on the previous sale while medium and light prime ewes also eased on the previous week by $6-$8/head, PGG Wrightson livestock manager Joe Higgins reported.
In the prime cattle section steers 600-850kg earned $2.20-$2.28/kgLW, 500-600kg $2.20-$2.32/kgLW, 400-500kg $2.15-$2.28/kgLW and dairy types 500-650kg $2.10-$2.20/kgLW.
Heifers 500-600kg returned $2.20-$2.31kgLW, 450-500kg $2.15-$2.28/kgLW, 380-450kg $2.00-$2.10/kgLW, and dairy 380-550kg $1.60-$2.10/kgLW.
Bulls 800-1000kg fetched $1.70-$1.88/kgLW, 550-800kg $2.24-$2.31/kgLW and 400-500kg $1.75-$2.27/kgLW.
Beef cows 500-800kg earned $1.60-$1.83/kgLW, 400-500kg $1.40-$1.58/kgLW, dairy sorts 500-750kg $1.40-$1.65/kgLW and lighter 340-480kg 90c-$1.40/kgLW.
Store lambs - good forward types fetched $105-$118, medium $90-$104 and smaller lambs $60-$90.
The best of the heavy prime lambs returned $150-$175, medium $130-$149 and light $115-$129. Heavy one-shear ewes earned $148-$155, medium $130-$140 and light $80-$90. Good heavy adult ewes fetched $140-$188, medium $118-$135, light $92-$115 and stores $70-$90.
A line of adult Romney breeding ewes sold for $138 and a line of mixed aged Perendales returned $175. The first of the season's ewe fairs kicks off with the two-tooth ewe fair on Wednesday, January 25.

OTAGO
An average line-up of prime lambs at BALCLUTHA on Wednesday sold on par with limited demand, Barry Osborne of PGG Wrightson reported. Prime ewes sold at similar values to recent sales, but with reducing demand.
Heavy prime lambs $128-$137, medium $114-$125, light $100-$111. Medium quality 2-tooths $100, light $80. Heavy woolly ewes $120-$131, medium $98-$116, light $85-$96. Lower condition ewes $75. Heavy local trade rams $75, medium $60, light $35.
A smaller yarding of store sheep were offered and prices eased slightly with reasonable demand.
Top woolly store lambs $99-$107, medium $86-$97.50, light $74-$84. Top blackface store lambs $100-$117, medium $90-$98, light $80-$88, tail end lambs $55.
A small yarding of store cattle sold reasonably well, with average demand.
Medium 2-year Angus-cross heifers 368kg, $790, $2.15/kgLW, good 2-year Hereford/Friesian steers 483kg, $930, $1.92/kgLW, Medium 1-year beef-cross steers 298kg, $630, $2.11/kgLW, medium 1-year Murray Grey-cross heifers 342kg, $770, $2.25/kgLW.

SOUTHLAND
There was a medium yarding of prime sheep at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday, with strong demand bringing prices up on par with pre-Christmas rates.
Heavy lambs $140-$155, medium $120-$130, light $110-$115. Good quality 2-tooths $131.
Heavy woolly ewes $130-$150, medium $100-$125, light $85-$95. Lower condition ewes $73-$80, heavy local trade rams $90-$100.
Top woolly store lambs $105-$113, medium $90-$102, light $80-$85.
There was a medium yarding of prime cattle, with a good market for most grades.
Good heifers 425-495kg, $2.15-$2.22/kgLW, medium heifers 360-400kg, $2-$2.15/kgLW. Good bulls 550-650kg, $2.25/kgLW. Medium cows 500-580kg, $1.50-$1.161/kgLW, lighter cows 400-500kg, $1.30-$1.50/kgLW.
There was good demand for the small yarding of store cattle.
Good 2-year Friesian bulls 501kg, $1090, $2.20/kgLW. Good 1-year Angus/Angus-Hereford cross heifers 307-347kg, $700-$825, $2.25-$2.35/kgLW. Medium Friesian weaner bulls 95-120kg, $300-$320.
A medium yarding of prime sheep at CHARLTON on Thursday met with firm demand in trying conditions, reported James MacLean of PGG Wrightson.
Heavy lambs $135-$147, medium $125-$130, light $110-$115. Good quality 2-tooths $100-$110, medium $90-$96, light $85. Heavy shorn ewes $130-$136, medium $110-$125, light $85-$100.
Lower condition ewes $50-$60, heavy local trade rams $90, medium $66.
Top woolly store lambs $95-$106, medium $80-$90, light $75.

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