WHILE the very hot weather may have kept producers inside, not wanting to stress their cattle by yarding livestock in the heat, the smaller yarding at VLE Pakenham can also be attributed to a return to a normal week.
The reduction in supply was around 30 per cent, but within the smaller yarding were some very good to excellent quality cattle.
Falling numbers, good quality and the strength of feedlots and restockers all assisted in creating higher prices of two cents to 10 cents per kilogram.
The same field of buyers were operating and demand was very strong.
Of the 550 vealers penned, there were few that made under 200 cents with plenty making between 220 cents and the top price of 239 cents per kilogram.
These, and some of the other vealers sold, were subject to competition from feedlots and restockers who paid from 194 cents to 227 cents per kilogram for both steer and heifer vealers. Overall, vealers averaged 217 cents per kilogram.
Big or small, demand was excellent for the offering of 800 yearlings penned.
Some very good quality supplementary fed yearlings topped this part of the sale, making 235 cents per kilogram.
Other medium to lighter weight yearlings made between 190 cents and 220 cents with only some plainer shape D muscle cattle from 165 cents to 198 cents per kilogram.
Price averages for yearlings were around 202 cents, which was aided in part by very strong demand for heavy yearling steers.
Most of these made from 192 cents to 214 cents per kilogram.
Approximately 240 grown cattle were penned, which included several drafts of very good quality steers and bullocks.
Prices here were up to six cents better with most C muscle steers making between 192 cents and 206 cents for a 201 cents per kilogram average.
Manufacturing bullocks made from 168 cents to 202 cents with a small number of heifers between 160 cents and 182 cents per kilogram.
The VLE Draw for the week commencing Monday 7 February is as follows: 1, Alex Scott; 2, Nathan Gibbon; 3, Mick Hornsby; 4, Everitt and Seeley; 5, Elders; 6, SEJ; 7, Landmark; 8, Rodwells.
The next Store Sale is Thursday 3 February commencing at 10am.
Vealers
Eighteen, B. and L. Seebeck, Pakenham, 392 kilograms, 235 cents per kilogram, $923.03; 10, D.R. and J.L. Joyce, Glenburn, 424, 234, $991.45; 12, A. and T. Ireland, Glen Forbes, 365, 226.4, $826.00; 39, G. and J. Matthews, Launching Place, 300, 225.6, $676.00; 23, Linemarg Pty Ltd, Modella, 366, 225.3, $825.63; 18, G.V. and C.A. Haworth Pty Ltd, Tuerong, 340, 222, $754.80; 16, B.V. and G.A. Sibly, Archies Creek, 336.9, $221.7, $746.71; 15, G. Versace, Hoddles Creek, 381, 221, $841.50; 21, J. and J. Bett, Yea, 359, 219.3, $787.29; 8, G. and M. Lomagno, Leongatha South, 376, 219, $823.92; 14, R. and L. Hoy, Leongatha, 388, 218.6, $847.93; 14, Dorothy D. Slade, Woolamai, 371, 218.6, $811.16; 16, G. Magiafico, Dumbalk, 391, 218.6, $855.36; 14, K. Taylor, Wollert, 367, 217.6, $798.78; 21, D. Brain and B. Thorson, Poowong East, 363, 217.4, $789.41; 12, A.R. and W.E. Cotchin, Woolert, 349, 216.2, $755.00; 13, G.A. and B.R. Dance, Iona, 316, 216, $683.73; 14, G.G. Muller and Sons, Glenburn, 375, 215.6, $809.00; 10, R.J. Young, Pearcedale, 329, 210.7, $693.35.
Steers
Eighteen, Glen Richards, Wonthaggi, 532, 215.2, $1145.00; 15, Tarro Lodge, Cape Schanck, 547, 212, $1160.00; 13, R. Allen, Lyndhurst, 565, 211.5, $1195.81; 12, Graniflora Nursery, Lyndhurst, 532, 210, $1117.38; 10, G. and H. Cock, Lilydale, 624, 210, $1311.45; 21, R. Walker, Nar Nar Goon, 545, 209.2, $1140.00; 16, J. O’Sullivan, Tooradin, 439, 208.7, $915.00; 22, R. and D. Withers, Yering, 615, 208.3, $1281.33; 13, R.F. Highett, Healesville, 598, 205.6, $1229.65; 36, M. Fisher and H. Purse, Kyneton, 649, 205, $1330.00; 12, Bellakama Pty Ltd, Dromana, 596, 205, $1222.00; 10, B.J. and F.E. Rankin, Yarragon, 564, 202.7, $1143.24; 12, Newlyn Farm, Merricks, 612, 202.6, $1241.77; 9, B. Holland, Coldstream, 449, 198.7, $892.82.
Heifers
Six, N. Uren, Walkerville, 354, 217.2, $769.00; 15, B. and J. Evan, Ripplebrook, 403, 209.2, $843.00.
Bullocks
Ten, M.A. McCormack and Son, Caldermeade, 653, 203, $1325.59; 44, I. and C. Riley, Bullarook, 607, 202.2, $1228.14; 9, I.T. and A.M. Grant, Yarragon, 623, 201.6, $1256.64; 10, Linemarg Pty Ltd, Catani, 629, 201.6, $1269.07; 11, K.L. and K.J. Batchelor, Bunyip, 624, 197.2, $1230.71; 7, J. Ellis, Bayles, 636, 197.2, $1253.63; 10, Ron Valentine, Officer, 670, 196.1, $1312.91; 12, P. and A. Hansen, Toongabbie, 775, 191, $1480.76.
