Sale closes on high note

THE last Fat Cattle Sale for 2009 at Baw Baw Livestock Exchange, Warragul, saw the year finish with prices slightly higher than the previous week. Competition was reasonably strong with 130 less head yarded.
Bullocks were strong on the day with the 35 head offered and saw the average price jump 17 cents to 154.4 with a good solid range of 146 to 159.6 cents per kilogram.
One hundred and three heifers of mixed quality managed to keep hold of a fair average of 139.1, heavy heifers ranged from 84.2 to 155.2 and light 114.2 to 120.6.
Good heavy steers sold to solid demand and lighter store types also faired well with restockers forcing the average up 10 cents to 149.2, steers ranged from 125 to 158.6.
Three hundred and thirty three vealers did not manage this larger rise, but the top range sold to higher rates, with the best prices above the 200-cent mark for the first time in several weeks. Veal rose three cents to 161.4, heavy vealer range was 107.6 to 222.6 and light veal 110.2 to 196.2.
The Bull and Cow sale on Thursday also finished the year on a slightly higher note as bulls rose 6.6 cents on average to 127.6, with the 28 sold ranging from 80.6 to 142.
One hundred and forty two cows lifted three cents to 111 cents to range from 64.6 to 149.2.
Management and staff of Baw Baw Livestock Exchange would like to wish everybody Merry Christmas and a safe New Year.
Vealers
Eight, AngusX, Sausafix P/L, Noojee, 202 kilograms, 222.6 cents per kilogram, $449; 1, Limo, M. and J. McKinnon, Ellinbank, 310, 205, $635; 2, BazaX, W. and W. Patterson, Nyora, 333, 195, $649; 1, Bel/Blue, P. Schroen, Bunyip, 380, 194.6, $739; 1, Limo, G. and L. Benett, Trafalgar, 315, 188.6, $594; 5, LimoX, Westbury Downs, Westbury, 381, 186, $708.
Steers
Sixteen, Hereford, Hamilton Park, Willowgrove, 512, 158, $808; 6, AngusX, Teroan Park, Drouin South, 542, 157.6, $854; 10, AngusX, P. Hoadley, Lillico, 515, 157.6, $811; 3, Hereford, K. Wilson, Garfield, 462, 150.6, $695.
Bullocks
Two, HerefordX, Teroan Park, Drouin South, 550, 159.6, $877; 2, Hereford, B. and L. Wheeler, Moe South, 572, 157.6, $901; 7, Hereford, P. and M. Glover, Buln Buln East, 559, 156.6, $875.
Heifers
Thirty four, Angus, P. Vilcins, Nar Nar Goon, 426, 152.4, $648; 7, B/Baldy, B. and L. Wheeler, Moe South, 463, 145.6, $674; 1, Angus, K. and J. Carmichael, Bunyip, 555, 142, $788.
Export cows and heifers
Two, Angus, Blyth Bros., Ellinbank, 622, 149.2, $928; 1, M/Grey, G. Garden, Drouin West, 500, 135.6, $678; 2, Angus, Taraglen Farms, Longwarry, 728, 132, $960; 1, SimmX, A. and L. Griffin, Lardner, 570, 131.6, $568; 2, Friesian, R. and V. Patullo, Lang Lang, 803, 130, $1043; 2, Angus, I. and A. Savige, Cloverlea, 580, 130, $754.
Bulls
One, Hereford, R. and P. Thomas, Trafalgar, 1100, 142, $1562; 1, Red Friesian, J.H.C. and Cadzow, Jindivick, 765, 128.6, $983; 6, Friesian, J.H.C. and Griffith, Jindivick, 791, 127.9, $1011; 1, Jersey, A. and B. Gregg, Poowong, 620, 120.2, $745.
The draw for Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 January 2010 is as follows: 1, Elders; 2, Gibbon; 3, SEJ; 4, Landmark; 5. Scotts.