IN A yarding of numbers similar to the previous week, prices eased across all categories at Baw Baw Livestock Exchange, Warragul, mainly due to the lighter condition and a larger percentage of light store calves.
Twenty four bullocks containing head with less condition than usual sold to reasonable demand, but managed to ease eight cents. Bullocks ranged from 152.6 cents to 190.6 cents.
Seventy heifers were offered and their condition varied across all pens, with the lighter ones easing the price back, with heifers averaging 151.2 cents, range was from a low of 109.2 to a high of 177.2. Ninety seven steers eased 10 cents, with several pens of light crossbred steers attracting the bargain hunters. Steers made from 120.6 cents to 193.2 cents. Two hundred and seventy six vealers did manage to ease the most, but considering the pen lots of store calves averaging around the 150 kilogram mark and lacking condition, the top end of the category did manage a minor increase with demand still strong for these better quality head. Vealers made a low of 105.2 to a top of 238.2 for a pen of good quality head.
A lighter yarding of better quality cattle were yarded on Thursday and this, coupled with the strong demand, drove the cow price up slightly, with cows rising two cents to average 132.3.
Light score cows felt the pinch with a low of 63.6, although this was only a very small amount of the yarding, better head saw competition brisk as the top price reached 184 cents, 442 cows were offered on the day. Fifty top-of-the-line bullocks were also penned and prices were an indicator of quality as the range went from a low of 139.2 to a high of 196 cents. Eighteen bulls yarded saw their price remain steady on average, lighter framed bulls sold to reasonable demand with a low of only 128 cents. Best bull made 178.2.
The draw for Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 August is as follows: 1, Scotts; 2, Elders; 3, Landmark; 4, Gibbon; 5, SEJ.
Vealers
Seven, LimoX, W.L. and S. Clapp, Iona, 377 kilograms, 238.2 cents per kilogram, $899; 6, Angus, Campbell and Cromwell, Mirboo North, 211, 215.2, $453; 1, S/Horn, M. Malacarne, Yarragon, 415, 215, 892; 1, M/Grey, M. Brunt, Poowong, 375, 211.2, $792; 2, Limo, B. Foote, Poowong, 400, 208.2, $832; 1, LimoX, B. Robertson, Yarragon, 390, 208, $811.
Steers
Twenty six, Angus, G. and T. Maker, Officer, 453, 192, $870; 1, Angus, A. and W. Sayers, Ellinbank, 515, 191.6, $986; 7, Angus, Spring and Woodcock, Neerim East, 493, 191, $941; 2, Angus, J. and G. Cumming, Jindivick, 540, 188, $1015; 8, Angus, G. Brough, Jindivick, 526, 188, $989.
Bullocks
Four, B/Baldy, L.S. Heywood, Shady Creek, 580, 190.6, $1105; 2, Angus, J. Hocking, Drouin South, 598, 190, $1136; 3, B/Baldy, P. and W. Bavaro, 573, 186, $1060.
Heifers
One, Angus, A. and W. Sayers, Ellinbank, 375, 177.2, $664; 4, Angus, B. and C. Hanson, Denison, 453, 175, $794; 2, Red Angus, R. and S. Trewern, Warragul South, 477, 164, $783.
Export cows and heifers
One, Angus, M. Romanin, Ellinbank, 590, 167.6, $988; 1, Limo, Murphy and Platt, Glengarry, 685, 165, $1130; 1, Angus, JBT, Yarragon, 575, 160, $920; 1, Angus, B. and E. Armstrong, Labertouche, 615, 159.2, $977; 1, LimoX, G. and N. Duncan, Neerim Jnct, 590, 158, $932; 1, AngusX, N. and J. McLeish, Drouin, 545, 157.6, $858.
Thursday bullocks
Nineteen, Angus, Est. E.S. Neill, Warragul, 680, 196, $1332; 9, Angus, B. Copelin, Seaview, 599, 192.2, $1151; 2, Angus, B. Lugzak, Tetora Road, 640, 190.2, $1217.
Bulls
One, Limo, J.M. and D. Fletcher, Drouin East, 640, 178.2, $1140; 1, Limo, S. Granieri, Warragul, 865, 178, $1539; 1, Hereford, A. and R. Price, Glengarry, 955, 170.2, $1625; 1, Red Angus, T. and L. Hatch, Athlone, 850, 165, $1400; 1, Angus, S. and J. Knight, Tanjil South, 835, 162, $1352; 1, Angus, Blyth Bros., Ellinbank, 580, 152, $881.