Quality key for buyers

30-01-2012 | Not Specified

Small yardings of sheep have been common around the country in the last week, and prices are generally easing from the pre-Christmas levels, but demand remains reasonably strong, particularly for good quality offerings.
Prices for 30-month steers and 18-month heifers were back by around 10c/kgLW at TUAKAU last Thursday, Elders agent Craig Chamberlain said.
A decent sized yarding of store cattle at FRANKTON saw values ease a little for the lesser types, said Lynn Collins of PGG Wrightson. With feed quality gone off in the region, a smaller bench used discretion, preferring the better bred lines.
Prime lamb values eased $5-$10/head across all grades at TINWALD in line with the slide in export schedules. Good heavy prime ewes had a strong sale holding their prices of the previous week, PGG Wrightson livestock agents reported.

NORTHLAND
It was a big sale at KAIKOHE on Wednesday, with a yarding of 850 head, reported Vaughan Vujcich of PGG Wrightson. Slightly drier conditions are pulling more stock in.
A light yarding of 2-year steers saw prices at $2.30-$2.38/kgLW. Heavy 18-month steers made $2.48-$2.50/kgLW, with lighter lines making $2.70/kgLW.
Autumn-born weaner Friesian bulls sold well at $5.40-$5.60/kgLW, while spring-born weaner bulls fetched $4.20-$4.80/kgLW. Weaner steers were selling at $3-$3.40/kgLW.
Two-year heifers made $2.20-$2.30/kgLW, and 18-month heifers $2/30-$2.48/kgLW, with weaner heifers selling at $3.80-$4.30/kgLW.
Heavy cows $2/kgLW, good lines $1.75-$1.80 and lighter $1.50-$1.65/kgLW.

AUCKLAND
Despite schedules dropping over the weekend, the market was very strong at PUKEKOHE on Saturday January 21, with best Limousin cows selling to $1,590 and weaner steers $715, Chris Humphrey of Livestock Mart Auctions reported. With the looming short killing weeks and the constant rain easing at last, prices will probably ease a bit as space tightens in the works. However a shortage of good cattle generally should ensure things remain pretty good through autumn and should be very good during the winter.
Best prime steers $1,425-$1,485, medium 20-month steers $800-$1048 Simmental-cross weaner steers $715, other weaner steers $390-$595, prime heifers $1085-$1155, crossbred 20-month heifers $700-$825, medium weaner heifers $525-$580, small weaner heifers $285-$455, best boner cows $1065-$1590, other cows $455-$980, best bulls $1,775.
The sale at KUMEU last Monday sale had a large bench of buyers present and they were keen buyers, with bidding good on nearly every pen, Chris Humphrey of Livestock Mart Auctions reported. Useful store steers sold well to $960 and weaner heifers too sold well to $478. Despite the amazing lot of rain we have had till now, a follow up would be ideal!
Good 2-year store steers $870-$960, small crossbred steers $625-$675, small weaner steers $355-$417, medium 18-month heifers $775, small heifers $625, medium weaner heifers $440-$478, small heifers $270-$340, boner cows $1,160.
Fat lambs $123-$141, other lambs $81-$91.

COUNTIES
Prices for 30-month steers and 18-month heifers were back by around 10c/kgLW at TUAKAU last Thursday, Elders agent Craig Chamberlain said.
Eighteen-month steers sold at similar rates to the previous week but weaner prices were also slightly easier, he said.
Thirty-month steers at 485-550kg sold at $2.18-$2.36/kgLW with 400-480kg types making
$2.11-$2.26/kgLW. Eighteen-month steers, 350-420kg, traded at $2.45-$2.66/kgLW and 300-350kg steers earned $2.42-$2.53/kgLW. Black-bodied whiteface weaner steers fetched $455-$550.
In the heifer section 18-month beef heifers at 350-420kg returned $2.14-$2.22/kgLW with black-bodied whiteface heifers in the same weight range making $2.28-$2.36/kgLW. Heifers in the 280-350kg bracket earned $2.20-$2.45/kgLW. Dairy-beef weaner heifers traded at $360-$430. About 660 cattle were yarded.
Chamberlain said prices for prime steers and heifers also eased by around 10c/kgLW at Wednesday's prime sale, in line with a schedule drop. Heavy steers, 650kg-plus, sold at $2.28-$2.35/kgLW with 550-650kg steers making $2.25-$2.32/kgLW and trade-types $2.20-$2.25/kgLW. Heavy export heifers, 500kg-plus, returned $2.24-$2.32/kgLW and trade heifers fetched $2.18-$2.25/kgLW. Beef cows sold at $1.82-$1.88/kgLW and heavy Friesian cows earned $1.50-$1.67/kgLW. Medium boners traded at $1.45-$1.50/kgLW and lighter paddock-type cows at $1.40-$1.50/kgLW.
Prices for prime lambs at Monday's sheep sale eased by about $5/head, again reflecting a schedule drop. Heavy prime lambs made $140-$156 with medium types fetching $128-$140 and lighter sorts $115-$127. Prices for a small offering of prime ewes were also a little softer. Heavy ewes sold at $115-$125 with medium ewes making $95-$115 and lighter sorts $70-$95.

BAY OF PLENTY
With a yarding of only 3000, competition was hot amongst buyers at the TAUPO ewe fair last Tuesday, Shane Scott of Central Livestock reported.
The droughts and dry summers of the last few years had taken their toll on sheep numbers so with the abundance of feed this season many have retained 5-year ewes that are normally sold. With high lamb values and feed to burn there is a swing back into sheep hence the exceptionally strong market for breeding ewes this season.
A line of 614 top 5-year Romney ewes sold on account of Rick Alexander of Waiouru Grazing were the feature of the sale making $208. Two-tooth ewes of very average quality made from $205 to $175. Five-year ewes made from $208 to $156 with average types making around $180. A line of 6-year Romney ewes made $160. A line of mixed age ewes sold on account of Tuatahi Farming made from $188 to $180, and 1-year ewes with low mouths made from $140 to $130.
In common with other cattle markets last week, prices eased at RANGIURU, a lack of recent rain and deteriorating grass quality the probable reason, reported Stu Langdon of PGG Wrightson. Sheep numbers were up, mainly prime lambs, as space becomes a bit tight. The best of the lambs did make up to $156, the entry averaging $138 with very small lambs at $62. Good ewes also sold to $149 and averaged $112.
Older steers, at 585kg, returned $1365, $2.33/kgLW and one or two heavy lots brought $1030-$1325, but steers just over 400kg tended to sell at $930-$980. Yearling steers 250-300kg made $590-$920, $2.14-$2.73/kgLW. $1070-$1245 secured the heavier heifers, $2.23-$2.29/kgLW, while 350-400kg heifers realised $815-$855, $2.17-$2.28/kgLW. Smaller heifers fetched $595-$715, $2.02-$2.53/kgLW. Big bulls, 604kg, sold at $1615, $2.67/kgLW. Bulls 480-580kg went at $1195-$1465, $2.37-$2.59/kgLW and 350-400kg bulls were $730-$795, $2.07-$2.14/kgLW. Prime ox varied from $1060-$1630, $2.32-$2.48/kgLW and the best prime heifers fetched $1130-$1470, $1.98-$2.37/kgLW. Good boner cows ranged from $1020-$1140 with one big one at $1960, $2.31/kgLW. A handful of weaner steers made $320-$530, $1.64-$3.67/kgLW, a line of 106kg steers making $475, $4.48/kgLW. There were a few more weaner heifers, the entire lot making $300-$495, $2.24-$3.40/kgLW while 100-150kg weaner bulls returned $190-$482, $1.67-$4.49/kgLW.

WAIKATO
Ox and heifer prices were back at FRANKTON's prime fixture on Wednesday, in line with schedule reductions, NZ Farmers Livestock report shows.
$1614-$1709 bought 677-740kg ox, $2.31-$2.38/kgLW while those in the 500kg range fetched $1286-$1382, $2.23-$2.40/kgLW but a 940kg lot did reach $2124, $2.26/kgLW. $1430-$1457 took the heaviest heifers, $2.26-$2.28/kgLW and others weighing less than 500kg traded at $1005-$1230, $2.14-$2.26/kgLW.
Prime cows were steady with two lines over 600kg selling at $1028 and $1071, $1.70/kgLW. Cows less than 600kg made $901-$977, $1.67-$1.92/kgLW. The best of the boner cows sold to expectation with $813-$932 paid for the heaviest, $1.44-$1.51/kgLW and light cows were down to $380-$430, $1.28-$1.30/kgLW.
Hereford bulls sold well at $1593-$1981, $2.48-$2.59/kgLW and Friesian bulls made$1251-$1541, $2.34-$2.38/kgLW. Light Jerseys fetched $823-$1298, $1.96-$2.34/kgLW.
Prime lamb rates were consistent at $120-$160 while store lambs eased to sell at $105 for useful and $65-$90 for the smaller ones. Good ewes still made $115-$145.
A decent sized yarding of store cattle saw values ease a little for the lesser types, said Lynn Collins of PGG Wrightson. With feed quality gone off in the region, a smaller bench used discretion, preferring the better bred lines. Around 650 total head were penned, yearling steers the biggest group.
Good Hereford/Friesian and traditionally bred steers made $1005-$1137, $2.31-$2.68/kgLW, those weighing less than 400kg bringing $810-$920, $2.09-$2.84/kgLW. Friesian and Friesian-cross steers returned $660-$755, $2.04-$2.49/kgLW, the very light ones making $335-$530 $1.69-$2.13/kgLW. The better yearling bulls, all Friesians, made $690-$970, $2.31-$2.57/kgLW and whiteface bulls went at $875, $2.45/kgLW. Solid 2-year bulls realised $1025-$1470, $2.14-$2.49/kgLW. Two-year heifers were in short supply, a top line of whiteface 461kg selling for $1020, $2.21/kgLW, all the rest making $860-$995, $2.14-$2.33/kgLW while the bigger yearling heifers, over 300kg, brought $700-$840, $2.20-$2.43/kgLW. Smaller heifers made $440-$550, $1.80-$2.05/kgLW.
The sale of around 5000 breeding ewes at Frankton, including a couple of capital stock consignments, showed that there is still great interest in top quality breeding ewes. Buyers paid special attention to well bred Romneys, lines with FE tolerance and good lambing percentages, reported Lynn Collins of PGG Wrightson. The top 2-tooth sale was $300 with 4-tooths not far behind at $298. $291 was paid for the best 6-tooth ewes and 5-year ewes peaked at $200. Capital stock ewe lambs recorded $170. Collins said that the 4500 head his company offered grossed $1.3 million and averaged $201.
Sales of ewes around the North Island have tended to show a desire to pay less, especially for slightly lower quality but this result indicates that the bench will pay if the sheep are good enough.

TARANAKI
There was another good yarding at STRATFORD last Tuesday, with a significant proportion of ex-service bulls, reported Sandra Engelen of NZ Farmers Livestock. Large beef bulls and farming bulls are still selling well.
Prime Hereford/Friesian steers 656kg $2.375/kgLW, prime Murray Grey-cross steers 637.5kg $2.39/kgLW, prime Angus/Friesian steers 597.5kg $2.38/kgLW, prime Friesian steers 673.8kg $2.31/kgLW, prime Hereford/Friesian heifers 452.5kg-525kg $2.15-$2.22/kgLW, prime Simmental heifers 405kg-500kg $1.98-$2.02/kgLW, prime Angus/Friesian heifers 505kg $2.22/kgLW.
Thirty-month Hereford-cross steers 635kg $2.38/kgLW, 30-month Red Devon-cross steers 510kg $2.27/kgLW, 2-year Friesian steers 580kg $2.20/kgLW, 2-year crossbred steers 485kg $2.27/kgLW, 2-year Angus/Hereford steers 425kg $2.26/kgLW, 18-month Hereford/Friesian steers 452.5kg $2.30/kgLW.
Hereford cows 595kg-606.7kg $1.68-$1.81/kgLW, Red Polled cows 495kg $1.59/kgLW, Hereford-cross cows 505kg-590kg $1.60-$1.70/kgLW, Hereford/Friesian cows 540kg $1.53/kgLW, empty Friesian cows 420kg-530kg $1.41-$1.525/kgLW, empty Friesian heifers 435kg $1.87/kgLW, store crossbred cows 540kg $1.57/kgLW, store Friesian cows 500kg-565kg $1.46-$1.58/kgLW.
Three-year Belted Galloway bulls 585kg $2.51/kgLW, 3-year Angus bulls 631kg $2.595/kgLW, 3-year Hereford bulls 710kg-782.5kg $2.49-$2.605/kgLW, 30-month purebred Angus bulls 585kg $2.53/kgLW, 30-month Angus bulls 582.5kg-640kg $2.56-$2.58/kgLW, 30-month Hereford bulls 632.5kg-702.5kg $2.50-$2.615/kgLW, 30-month Jersey bulls 430kg-535kg $2.00-$2.27/kgLW, 30-month Murray Grey bulls 645kg $2.58/kgLW.
Two-year Hereford/Friesian bulls 527kg $2.44/kgLW, 2-year Hereford bulls 620kg-640kg $2.54-$2.585/kgLW, 2-year Belted Galloway bulls 535kg $2.39/kgLW, 2-year Friesian/Jersey-cross bulls 455kg-490kg $2.12/kgLW, 2-year purebred Angus bulls 447.5kg $2.35/kgLW, 2-year Jersey bulls 415kg-565kg $2.00-$2.34/kgLW, 2-year Ayrshire bulls 545kg $2.305/kgLW, 2-year Murray Grey bulls 522.5kg-670kg $2.42-$2.63/kgLW.
Twenty-month Jersey bulls 431kg $2.05/kgLW, 18-month purebred Angus bulls 510kg $2.40/kgLW, 18-month Jersey bulls 416.7kg-515kg $2-$2.28/kgLW, 15-month Milking Shorthorn bulls 395kg-400kg $1.91-$2.10/kgLW, 15-month Friesian bulls 445kg $2.56/kgLW.
Well bred steers and heifers sold well at Stratford last Wednesday despite a yarding of just over 220 cattle.
Thirty-month Friesian steers 652kg $1530, 30-month Angus/Friesian steers 565kg $1350, 30-month MRI steers 557.5kg $1305, 2-year MRI cross steers 505kg $1120,-year crossbred heifers 440kg $790, 2-year Hereford heifers 375kg $780, 2-year Hereford/Friesian heifers 390kg $780, 2-year Simmental cross heifers 348.3kg $690.
Eighteen-month Belted Galloway cross steers 287.5kg-320kg $615-$665, 18-month crossbred steers 325kg $660, 18-month Shorthorn steers 340kg $800, 18-month Hereford/Friesian steers 271.3kg-400kg $700-$940, 18-month Angus/Friesian steers 322kg $800, 15-month Simmental cross steers 355kg $810, 15-month Charolais cross steers 305kg $720, 15-month Angus/Friesian steers 245kg-323.8kg $500-$772, 15-month Friesian steers 205.6kg $500, 15-month Friesian cross steers 237.5kg $420, 15-month Hereford/Friesian steers 309kg-390kg $760-$1020, 15-month Hereford cross steers 267.5kg $628, 15-month Simmental/Friesian steers 390kg $1015.
Fifteen-month Charolais cross bulls (horns) 270kg $610, 15-month Charolais cross bulls 281.7kg $690, 15-month Angus bulls 226.7kg-317.5kg $520-$705, 15-month Murray Grey cross heifers 346.7kg $742, 15-month Hereford heifers 330kg $690, 15-month Hereford/Friesian heifers 196.7kg-305kg $500-$650, 15-month Shorthorn heifers 333.3kg $735, 15-month Simmental/Friesian heifers 401.7kg $880, 15-month Angus/Friesian heifers 195kg-220.7kg $498-$548, 15-month crossbred heifers 257.5kg $540, 15-month Friesian heifers 225kg $420, 15-month RWB Charolais cross heifers 210kg $440.
Weaner Hereford/Friesian steers 95kg $390, weaner Murray Grey/Friesian steers 90kg $335, weaner Charolais cross steers 237.5kg $605, weaner Friesian bulls 175kg-200kg $320-$432, weaner Jersey bulls 165kg $270, weaner crossbred heifers 210kg $425, weaner Charolais cross heifers 218.3kg $540, weaner Hereford/Friesian heifers 145kg $440.
Prime 2-tooth wethers $72, wether lambs $96-$108, mixed sex lambs $103-$108, ram lambs $110, ewe lambs $91, purebred Suffolk ewe lambs $108-$138, ewes $132, mixed age ewes $126-$130, Perendale ewes $60, aged ewes $40-$50, 2-tooth Suffolk ewes $100.

POVERTY BAY
1600 store lambs were included in a small yarding of 2300 sheep at MATAWHERO on Friday.
Store lamb prices are being influenced by continuing schedule drops. Most lambs were medium and smaller with a few pens of lambs with condition and the latter were steady at $123-$125. Medium male lambs brought $103-$110, a lone line of useful ewe lambs making $104.Buyers held their limits below $100 for smaller medium lambs, most of which were mixed sex, with sales at $80-$86 for fair average lines and $63-$75 for smaller. The very small lots were $57-$61.
Prime lambs peaked at $160 and the few trade ewes offered sold at $113-$120. Ewes suitable for breeding, including some good sheep but in small lines, were very much cheaper than at the previous ewe fair. Very good 2-tooths made $180 and mixed age from the same flock, $176. Useful 5-year ewes made $126 and 6-years $126. Store ewes remained steady at $60 -$106.

HAWKE'S BAY
Buyers from a wide range of regions made for a strong cattle market at STORTFORD LODGE. They were presented with 960 head, including a very attractive offering of yearling and 2-year steers, reported Ian MacEwan of Elders.
Several lots of 2-year steers tipped the scales at 500kg and above and three lines made $1405-$1485, $2.50-$2.64/kgLW. This was exceeded by a pen of 645kg Angus which sold for $1565 and another 624kg pen of Hereford fetched $1535, $2.43-$2.46/kgLW. The lowest range for traditionally bred steers was $1130-$1300, $2.30-$2.50/kgLW while good Hereford/Friesian fetched $1115-$1155, $2.30-$2.35/kgLW.
Friesian steers made $1072-$1305, $2.10-$2.35/kgLW. More than 300 yearling steers came forward, a star line of 483kg Hereford/Friesians making top money of $1305, $2.70/kgLW. Solid steers, any breed, weighing better than 400kg made $1050-$1285, $2.39-$2.72/kgLW and there were many sales at $860-$980, $2.43-$2.80/kgLW. Yearling heifers were also popular, $900-$995 paid for the best, $2.21-$2.64/kgLW. $710-$880 was offered for just a few lots. Only three pens of 2-year heifers were put up and they made $775-$932, $2.02-$2.20/kgLW. Yearling bulls sold well at $925-$1050, $2.17-$2.38/kgLW and a couple of lines of weaner bulls fetched $350 and $520, $2.02-$2.30/kgLW.
The sheep section was very, very small at less than 1000 head. MacEwan described it as "not enough for a pie". That was true of the less than 30 ewes but even the 900 store lambs failed to excite, that market easier again. Lambs with some weight did make $107-$127 with a lot of sales around $83-$90

MANAWATU
Strong prices at RONGOTEA on Wednesday mean there are a lot of happy vendors around Manawatu, Tim White of NZ Farmers Livestock reported.
"As the weather is still going the farmers' way there is still strong demand for big cattle." This week 300 cattle went through the ring.
Two-year Hereford bulls were a standout making $1980 ($2.44/kgLW) and 2-year Friesian bulls sold for $1260 ($2.49/kgLW). 2-year whiteface heifers made $1122 ($2.31/kgLW) and lighter 2-year whiteface heifers made $895 ($2.38/kgLW). Brindle 2-year steers reached $1012 ($2.26/kgLW). R3 whiteface steers made $1300 ($2.19/kgLW). A large number of 15-month Friesian bulls from the Wanganui hill country sold well and tops made $860 ($2.58/kgLW) with the lighter lines making over $2.60/kgLW. Jersey 15-month bulls sold for $810 ($2.03/kgLW).
Fifteen-month whiteface steers sold well making $800 ($2.47/kgLW). Autumn-born Friesian bulls sold at $675 ($2.42/kgLW). Weaner Murray Grey-cross bulls made $555 ($5.04/kgLW), Friesian bulls $430 ($3.11/kgLW) and whiteface bulls $460 ($3.47/kgLW). Weaner whiteface heifers sold for $455 ($3.09/kgLW). Jersey cows and calves made $930 and an in-milk cow made $620. Boner cows topped at $947 ($1.63/kgLW). A couple of Angus heifer calves made $175.
Mixed sex lambs made $121, ewes $101 and rams $95.
There was another good yarding of quality cattle at FEILDING on Friday, leading to a "quite sound" sale, reported Darren Holm of Elders
The heavier 2 ½-year steers sold at $2.45-$2.55/kgLW, with lighter lines 400-430kg selling at $2.55-$2.65/kgLW. Two and a half year bulls made $2.45-$2.55/kgLW, and the heavier 2 ½-year heifers reached $2.30-$2.35/kgLW, while lighter lines made $2.40-$2.50/kgLW.
There was a big yarding of good quality 18-month steers. Heavier lines 400-500kg fetched $2.55-$2.65/kgLW while lighter lines went for $2.50-$2.70/kgLW. Eighteen-month bulls made $2.50/kgLW and 18-month heifers $2.40-$2.50/kgLW.
There were only a few pens of ewes on Friday, reported Chris Hansen of Elders, with the top pen making $149, and the others $126-$129.
Very good male lambs made $124-$128.50, good $112.50-$119.50 and medium $100-$110. The better ewe lambs sold at $110-$115, medium $100-$105 and smaller $80-$90.

CANTERBURY
Prices for prime steers and heifers eased at COALGATE on Thursday, reported Phil Manera of Hazlett Rural.
Good quality steers made $2.24/kgLW, and heifers sold at $2.20/kgLW. Cows and bulls sold on par with recent sales, with cows making $1.40-$1.65/kgLW, heavy bulls $2.10/kgLW and mediums $2.25-$2.29/kgLW.
A small yarding of mixed quality store cattle on Friday saw Hereford/Friesian steers make $940.
Almost 1500 prime lambs were offered, peaking at $175 for Texel ram lambs. Top butchers quality made $160-$175, good $145-$155, medium $130-$140, light $110-$120. Around 2000 prime ewes eased slightly, with very heavy animals making $145-$155, good $130-$138, medium $114-$122, light $95-$105 and culls $60-$70. The best 2-tooths were up to $130, and mediums $120.
A small yarding of store lambs sold up to $112. Good Down-cross lambs were $90-$102, medium $85-$90 and smaller types $70-$80.

MID CANTERBURY
Prime lamb values eased $5-$10/head across all grades at TINWALD in line with the slide in export schedules. Good heavy prime ewes had a strong sale holding their prices of the previous week, PGG Wrightson livestock agents reported.
The best of the good heavy prime lambs fetched $169-$181, medium $135-$165 and light $110-$125. Good heavy prime ewes earned up to $181 while medium types eased on the previous sale returning $136-$149 and light $90-$120. A small yarding of store lambs was offered with crossbred crypt lambs earning $100 while longer term lambs returned $77-$84 with smaller lambs selling from $71.

SOUTH CANTERBURY
A large yarding of prime cattle saw values for both steers and heifers hold firm on the previous sale while medium to light bulls strengthened 20-30c/kg at TEMUKA.
A small yarding of store lambs saw prices back $5/head on the previous sale while prime lambs also eased on the previous week by $5/head, PGG Wrightson livestock manager Joe Higgins reported.
In the prime cattle section steers 600-850kg earned $2.20-$2.27/kgLW, 500-600kg $2.15-$2.23/kgLW, 400-500kg $2.10-$2.22/kgLW and dairy types 500-650kg $2-$2.20/kgLW. Heifers 500-600kg returned $2.15-$2.26kgLW, 450-500kg $2.10-$2.22/kgLW, 380-450kg $2-$2.15/kgLW and dairy 380-550kg $1.60-$2.00/kgLW. Bulls 800-1000kg fetched $1.80-$1.84/kgLW, 550-800kg $2.30-$2.60/kgLW and 400-500kg $2-$2.40/kgLW. Beef cows 500-800kg earned $1.58-$1.81/kgLW, 400-500kg $1.40-$1.58/kgLW, dairy sorts 500-750kg $1.42-$1.60/kgLW and lighter 340-480kg 90c-$1.411/kgLW.
Store lambs - good forward types fetched $100-$116, medium $80-$100 and smaller lambs $55-$80. The best of the heavy prime lambs returned $145-$170, medium $120-$144 and light $110-$115. Heavy one-shear ewes earned $140-$154, medium $130-$138 and light $70-$90. Good heavy adult ewes fetched $128-$180, medium $112-$124, light $90-$108 and stores $70-$88.
In the store cattle sale on Thursday 1100 cattle were yarded with the bulk of the sale being calves that had a very strong sale, bulls in particular were up $50-$60. Good quality Hereford-Friesian steers and heifers also sold well. The adult yarding was mainly two-year-old stock
that eased 10-15c/kg on the previous sale. R2 beef and dairy-beef steers returned $700-$1085 (272-492kg), Friesian and lesser quality $510-$645 (240-310kg). R2 heifers beef and dairy beef earned $360-$805 (177-390kg), R2 bulls $535-$940 (274-284kg). Beef steer calves fetched $500-$880 (151-249kg) and dairy-beef $350-$435 (89-121kg). Heifer beef calves sold from $455-$735(182-309kg) and dairy-beef $305-$410 (72-124kg). Bull beef calves earned $320-$445 (70-119kg) and Friesian types $280-$445 (92-147kg).

OTAGO
There was a medium yarding of medium quality lambs offered at BALCLUTHA on Wednesday, and values remained the same as the previous week, Barry Osborne of PGG Wrightson reported. Prime ewe values firmed slightly on the back of a good quality yarding.
Heavy lambs $126-$135, medium $111-$124, $98-$110. Good quality 2-tooths $139, medium $112, light $100. Heavy ewes $120-$130, medium $102-$117, light $90-$100, lower condition ewes $62.
A small but good quality yarding of store lambs sold at similar levels to the previous week, with average demand.
Top woolly lambs $113, medium $96, light $81. Top blackface lambs $111, medium $98, light $88, tail end lambs $70. Texel mixed age breeding ewes $163, Perendale ewe lambs $97-$111.
No store cattle were offered.

SOUTHLAND
There was a good yarding of prime cattle at LORNEVILLE last Monday, with a solid market.
Good steers 500-600kg $2-$2.10/kgLW, good heifers 450-550kg $1.80-$2.kgLW, good cows over 500kg, $1.60-$1.78/kgLW, medium cows 400-500kg $1.40-$1.55/kgLW, medium cows 300-400kg 80c-$1/kgLW.
Good Hereford bulls 550-650kg $2.10-$2.20/kgLW, Jersey bulls 550-650kg $2-$2.10/kgLW, Jersey bulls over 450kg $1.80-$1.90/kgLW.
There was a medium yarding of store cattle with good demand for good quality stock.
Two-year bulls 466kg $1000, 2-year bulls 377kg $700, 18-month beef steers $680, weaner bulls 175kg $420, weaner bulls 100-120kg $300-$340.
A large yarding of prime sheep met with firm demand, with prices easing on last week's rates.
Heavy lambs $130-$140, medium $120-$128, light $100-$110. Good quality 2-tooths $120-$130, light $60. Heavy woolly ewes $100-$130, medium $80-$95, light $50-$70. Lower condition ewes $30-$40, heavy local trade rams $60-$80.
Top woolly store lambs $100-$110, medium $85-$95, light $65-$80. Tail end lambs $60.
There was a small yarding of stock on offer at CHARLTON on Thursday, with quality down, but prices held firm, reported David Morrison of PGG Wrightson.
Heavy lambs $128-$135, medium $115-$122, light $110. Good quality 2-tooths $100-$110, medium $80-$90. Heavy woolly ewes $110-$125, medium $80-$100, light $60-$70. Heavy local trade rams $110, medium $70, light $60.
Top woolly store lambs $100, medium $80-$85, light $65-$70.

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