Few buyers but prices up

DEMAND was again very strong and prices were higher at VLE Pakenham, even though there were fewer buyers present.
The similar size penning included a larger percentage of cattle weighing 450 kilograms liveweight and higher with a good number 520 kilograms and more.
As one buyer said, most of the cattle made over 200 cents with only poor quality cows and some manufacturing bullocks selling under 200 cents per kilogram.
Prices were firm to nine cents per kilogram dearer depending on the class of cattle sold.
A slight reduction in the number of vealers to 400 head created very strong demand. Vealers sold to the larger price increases with steer vealers averaging 237 cents and heifers 231 cents per kilogram.
The best quality B muscle vealers made between 235 cents and 254 cents, with all others from 206 cents to 261 cents per kilogram.
Restockers paid 244 cents to the top figure for three pens of lighter weight Angus steer vealers.
The penning of 380 yearling steers, and 250 heifers also came under fire.
Prices for the steers averaged 221 cents, and heifers 216 cents with some excellent quality supplementary fed steers making 249 cents per kilogram.
Grass fattened steers made from 200 cents to 234 cents, and most of the heifers made between 195 cents and 228 cents per kilogram.
Also sold were a number of grown cattle, which included nearly 400 bullocks.
Prime C3 and C4 bullocks made from 197 cents to 212 cents, and manufacturing grades were between 172 cents and 196 cents per kilogram.
Isolated sales of grown heifers and cows were noted from 162 cents to 195 cents per kilogram.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 7 March is as follows: 1, Alex Scott; 2, Everitt and Seeley; 3, Mick Hornsby; 4, SEJ; 5, Nathan Gibbon; 6, Elders; 7, Landmark; 8, Rodwells.
The next Store Sale is Thursday 3 March commencing at 10am.
Vealers
Seven, B. and L. Seebeck, Pakenham, 376 kilograms, 248.6 cents per kilogram, $935.80; 22, J. and R. Quilford, Dalyston, 318, 243.2, $773.87; 5, G. Cleve, Wallan, 406, 241.8, $981.70; 8, Glen Hill Partnership, Boorool, 371, 240.8, $892.37; 13, T.A. and E.R. Hart, Bass, 371, 240.1, $891.91; 4, M. and H. Arestia, Krowera, 443, 239.4, $1059.50; 17, K.R. and A. Couch, Bass, 372, 239.2, $889.79; 13, M. and J. Morrison, Thorpdale, 368.5, 237.7, $875.97; 14, K.J. O’Hara, Foster, 342, 235, $804.18; 18, Linemarg P/L, Modella, 362, 234.9, $850.32; 10, R.J. and B.M. Carmichael, Dalyston, 396, 234.8, $929.64; 13, A. and W. Cotchin, Wollert, 353, 233, $822.00; 31, M.A. McCormack and Son, Caldermeade, 295, 231.8, $685.41; 18, A. and M. George, Grantville, 407, 231.2, $941.43; 7, Katelea Past. P/L, Bass, 364, 226.4, $828.06; 8, F. and J. Reedy, Yannathan, 399, 226, $902.59; 15, T. and P. Dessent, Foster, 418, 225, $941.86.
Steers
Sixteen, Raglan Park, Neerim, 456, 236.6, $1078.75; 15, B. Dalgarno, Berrys Creek, 577, 230.2, $1329.79; 6, I. Jeffrey, Ripplebrook, 523, 220, $1150.60; 20, W. Bickerton, Yarra Junction, 544, 216.5, $1176.52; 24, Ameo Park, Flinders, 580, 210.6, $1221.00; 11, J. and D. Camerlerie, Nar Nar Goon, 537, 210.6, $1130.68; 24, Mrs P. Williams, Red Hill, 586, 206.6, $1211.01; 8, R. and J. Pederick, Yarra Junction, 593, 202.8, $1201.76.
Heifers
Twenty one, Ellerslie Park, Fish Creek, 417, 221.8, $924.56; 11, Grandiflora Nursery, Lyndhurst, 414, 213.2, $881.87.
Bullocks
Nine, J.V. Maslen, Neerim South, 618, 212.2, $1310.92; 10, A.K. and D. Morrison, Glengarry, 641, 208, $1333.28; 16, A. and G. Clissold, Caldermeade, 623, 206.6, $1287.38; 12, P. Moore, Balnarring, 632, 202.2, $1277.23; 9, I. and S. Cotchin, Wollert, 701, 198.1, $1389.03; 12, D.M. O’Connor, Pearcedale, 828, 185, $1532.42.