THIS was the first indication of a smaller supply equalling more money with demand stronger for a yarding that fell 25 per cent in number at VLE Pakenham.
Another factor in the outcome was the quality with few top-quality vealers penned, and buyers had to seek other vealers and yearlings to fill orders.
While some of the best-quality vealers and heavy yearlings and grown cattle sold at unchanged rates, most other cattle were up to 12 cents per kilogram dearer. Part of this was because of the price paid for the quality purchased.
About 400 vealers were penned, but the quality varied a lot. The best quality B muscle vealers made from 205 cents to 237 cents but it was the C muscle vealers that made between 170 cents and 220 cents per kilogram that showed any of up to a 12-cents-per-kilogram increase.
A larger number of the 600 yearlings penned were supplementary fed, and the best of these made from 188 cents to 225 cents per kilogram.
With feedlot and restock buyers seeking numbers they bought 30 per cent of the offering and, coupled with solid trade competition prices, were between 155 cents and 185 cents per kilogram for a large range of C and D muscle steers and heifers.
A reasonable percentage of the cattle were in store to forward condition, and these made mostly from 145 cents to 165 cents, although a small number made between 100 cents and 138 cents per kilogram.
Heavy yearlings and grown steers and heifers all sold well, which saw steers and bullocks make from 160 cents to 180 cents per kilogram. Similar weighted heifers made from 140 cents to 164 cents per kilogram.
The VLE draw for the week from Monday 1 June is as follows: 1, Alex Scott; 2, Mick Hornsby; 3, Elders; 4, Nathan Gibbon; 5, Landmark; 6, SEJ; 7, Rodwells; 8, Everitt and Seeley.
The next Store Sale is on 28 May, from 10am.
Vealers
Twenty-five, K.G. and A.L. Mapleson, Yannathan, 380 kilograms, 220 cents per kilogram, $836.00; 6, R. Counsel, Harkaway, 350, 210, $735.00; 8, Eau De Cal Nom., Glen Forbes, 399, 205.4, $820.51; 8, R.P. and J. Lomagno, Jumbunna, 300, 193.7, $581.10; 10, R. Worley, Woori Yallock, 357, 193, $609.00; 5, D. and P. Wilson, Launching Place, 404, 182.5, $737.17.
Steers
Eight, R. Hughes, Nar Nar Goon, 495, 198, $978.00; 49, B. Waterfall, Carrum Downs, 535, 182, $974.00; 4, Greenmeadow Nom., Five Ways, 541, 177.2, $959.10; 13, J. Hicks, Officer, 567, 176.2, $999.00; 12, A. and M. George, Grantville, 542, 176, $954.00; 6, K. and V. Williamson, Pakenham, 524, 174.6, $914.47.
Heifers
Twenty-nine, B. and N. Hammet, Fish Creek, 354, 183.7, $650.72; 6, Green Meadow Nom., Five Ways, 410, 178, $729.80; 6, G. Goodwin, Labertouche, 377, 175, $650.00; 23, B. and R. Popple, Mt Eccles South, 380.9, 175, $666.59; 10, A.W. and L.A. Klinkhamer, Officer South, 404, 173.6, $701.34; 6, K. and M. Booth, Powelltown, 522, 173.6, $906.19.
Bullocks
Ten, Young Family Trust, Macclesfield, 632, 175, $1107.00; 13, Ingle Park, Yanakie, 641, 173.6, $1112.77; 6, J.S. Mahood, Bass, 587, 170, $998.00.
Cows
Eight, G. Danks, Vesper, 563, 136, $766.00; 25, Gascoyne Park, Darraweit, 584, 134.8, $788.00; 8, G.F. and M.J. Lightowler, Somerville, 614, 133.6, $820.81; 32, H.D. Middleton, Icy Creek, 597, 132.2, $789.00; 17, John McKinlay, Catani, 528, 129.1, $681.80.
