A QUALITY yarding attracted strong demand at the most recent Swan Hill cattle market, where all prices rose due to competition.
Eyes were on Thursday’s sheep sale at the local livestock exchange – which was still going when The Guardian went to press – to see the trend would continue.
There were 13,000 sheep yarded for Thursday’s sale.
Elders livestock specialist Matt Rowlands said a further 15,000 were also going into the yards at Ouyen.
“We are hoping to see the recent positive trend from the cattle sale carry over here this week,” Mr Rowlands said.
“The sheep job has been doing better for the past five to 10 days and I am confident the quality sheep will attract a lot of interest.”
The cattle sale had seen a total of 766 head on offer, with cows selling 10c to 15c/kg dearer, and secondary cows doing even better, selling out to 40c/kg dearer than a fortnight ago.
Heavy cattle sold 10c to 15c dearer for the best quality, while the trade cattle lifted by up to 40c/kg for the best – and topped at 413.6c/kg.
Store and plainer cattle also followed the sale trend and finished 5c to 15c/kg dearer, depending on quality.
Some of the better results from the sale included steer vealers (up to 350kg) making from 164 to 408.6c/kg. Top prices were 408.6c/kg, Jakall Trust, Merringur; 338.6c/kg, Orange Grove Pastoral, Balranald; and 324.6c/kg, PA & JJ Chisholm, Swan Hill.
Other top results were:
Heifer vealers (up to 350kg) realising between 155c/kg and 413.6c/kg with the sale high going to Jakall Trust, Merringur. After them was 393.6c/kg for D Davies, Swan Hill, and 357.6c/kg made by JN Arthur from Moulamein.
Trade steers (from 351 to 500kg) made from 180c/kg to 411.6c/kg. Top prices were 411.6c/kg to Sharps Pastoral, Jefcott; 408.6c/kg for N & G Williams, Swan Hill; 395.6c/kg for R Ey, Yaapeet; 370.6c/kg, AR Clarke, Tooleybuc; and finally 368c/kg for Vallance Farms, Tempy.
Trade heifers (from 351 to 500kg) sold between 185c/kg and 363.6c/kg. Top was Coobool Downs from Mellool, followed by 343.6c/kg for I Hodgson Pty Ltd, Kyalite, and 341.6c/kg going to Redwood Park Produce, Koraleigh.
In the export steers (500kg+) buyers paid between 223c/kg and 370c/kg, with the 370c/kg realised by CW & KS Fisher, Yaapeet, followed by 365.6c/kg to W Fisher, Yaarpeet; 365c/kg to Woolmark Pty Ltd, Koraleigh; 350.6c/kg for Redwood Park Produce, Koraleigh; 347.6c/kg for Coobool Downs from Mellool; and 338c/kg was made by AD Bryan, Mellool.
Then the export heifers (also 500kg+) sold just as strongly, making between 235c/kg and 347.6c/kg. Coobool Downs from Mellool topped this category as well. Other good prices were 340c/kg for Dante Pty Ltd, Speewa Island, and 326.6c/kg going to Anthony Pastoral Co at Moulamein.
Cows also attracted plenty of competition, with buyers paying from 170c/kg to a sale high 276c/kg, which went to AD Bryan at Mellool. Other results included 275.6c/kg for LE & J McKenzie, Koraleigh; 266.6c/kg for LE & J McKenzie, Koraleigh 262c/kg; and JN Arthur, Moulamein, with MW & AS Murray, from Stoney Crossing, matching that price. Finally there was 260c/kg for Vallance Farms from Tempy.
The small number of cow and calf units saw a sale high of $1600, which was achieved by Dante Pty Ltd from Speewa Island.
A few bullocks sold between 246c/kg and 348.6c/kg, with ML & LK Brawn, coming from Pental Island, realising that top price.
The final category was a handful of bulls (weighing 701kg+) going for 230c/kg to 240c/kg, with the sale high achieved by JN Arthur out of Moulamein.
