THE quality and composition of the yarding was similar at VLE Pakenham to the previous week, but there was a good lift in the supply of cattle.
The larger yarding sold to all of the competition of the previous sale, but all of the buyers were operating this time around. Despite the large offering, demand was strong, and except for a few minor variations, prices were unchanged.
There were fewer top quality B muscle vealers penned, and although competition varied for these calves, prices were unchanged making from 177 cents to 197 cents per kilogram. Other vealers sold to solid competition between trade buyers and lot feeders, which saw most C2 and C3 grades make from 152 cents to 187 cents per kilogram. Some heavy muscle lighter weight calves sold to restockers up to 193 cents per kilogram.
Most of the yearling steers and heifers sold to very solid demand, which saw trade buyers and lo feeders pay similar money across a large range of cattle. Steers made from 152 cents to 180 cents, and heifers were between 150 cents and 177 cents per kilogram. There were a small number of plainer D muscle grades from 132 cents to 152 cents per kilogram.
Again this week there was a plentiful supply of heavy yearling and grown steers penned. Although the top prices of the previous week was not achieved, most sales were between 168 cents and 175 cents with one sale at 181.2 cents per kilogram.
Grown heifers made from 144 cents to 163 cents per kilogram.
Vealers
Sixteen, Blackmore Past., Grantville, 397 kilograms, 193.3 cents per kilogram, $766.68; 16, C. Anderson, Bayles, 285, 188.1, $535.36; 11, G. D. and J. M. Pursell, Pakenham South, 442, 182.5, $807; 31, G. A. Bett, Yea, 337, 179.5, $604.51.
Heifers
Thirty two, Meadowview Prop, Pakenham, 405, 172.3, $697.91; 16, Yerringberg P/L, Coldstream, 390, 169.6, $661; 27, B.M. and S.M. Leahy, Tallarook, 400, 159., $639.53; 22, D. Leahy, Tallarook, 406, 156.4, $635.
Steers
Eighteen, B. S. Cantwell Livestock, Welshpool, 437, 180.4, $787; 8, S.D. Armstrong, Toongabbie North, 401, 179.4, $719.69; 20, Lace Investments, Phillip Island, 547, 178.6, $977.17; 12, C. O’Brien, Tyers, 395, 176.8, $699; 30, R. Grylls, Welshpool, 432, 174.5, $753.82.
Bullocks
Twenty, Newlyn Farm, Merricks, 627, 175.4, $1100; 8, W.B. Nixon, Yarra Glen, 663, 174.6, $1158.91; 10, D.D.C. Past. Co., Kooweerup, 639, 174, $1112.73; 12, Ameo Park, Flinders, 629, 172, $1081; 10, L. Brooks, Loch, 636, 172, $1094.78; 10, R. Bourke, Monomeith, 760, 170, $1292; 18, Glen Bros P/L, Guildford, 646, 169.5, $1095.38.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 19 January is as follows: 1, SEJ; 2, Everitt and Seeley; 3, Elders; 4, Rodwells; 5, Landmark; 6, Mick Hornsby; 7, Nathan Gibbon; 8, Alex Scott.
