EVEN though this was the first young cattle sale for two weeks at VLE Pakenham, there were only an equal number of cattle penned.
While there were some excellent quality vealers, supplementary fed, and grass fattened yearlings penned, overall the yarding was not as good in quality.
This gave lot feeders and opportunity feeders a larger selection of steers and heifers to choose from, which is why a large number were purchased.
Here was extra competition, both for trade and lot feeding, and while the yarding was plainer, prices were mostly unchanged with the very best quality up to six cents per kilogram dearer.
Because the number of top quality vealers was quite small the strong demand for these saw the top price of 238.6 cents per kilogram paid.
Equally the top quality supplementary fed yearlings made to 230.6 cents, while most of the 640 vealers and 850 yearlings that were in good condition made between 158 cents and 195 cents per kilogram.
Lot feeders and restockers purchased around 35 per cent of the yarding and paid mostly between 155 cents and 188 cents per kilogram.
A smaller number of 180 grown steers and heifers were penned, but despite the small number, demand was weaker.
Better quality steers made from 158 cents to 163 cents with others between 126 cents and 153 cents per kilogram.
A small number of grown heifers made from 125 cents to 145 cents per kilogram.
Prices for the steer portion were 10 cents to 11 cents lower, and heifers were six cents per kilogram cheaper.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 27 April is as follows: 1, Alex Scott; 2, Everitt and Seeley; 3, Rodwells; 4, SEJ; 5, Mick Hornsby; 6, Elders; 7, Nathan Gibbon; 8, Landmark.
The next Store Sale is 30 April commencing at 10am.
Vealers
Fourteen, M. and H. Arestia, Krowera, 353 kilograms, 218.7 cents per kilogram, $772.49; 5, F. and B. Parini, Korumburra South, 337, 208.1, $701.24; 14, D. Ross, Nar Nar Goon, 438, 206.5, $905.52; 9, J. Ellis, Bayles, 346, 199.3, $688.70; 9, Red Gem Packers, Nar Nar Goon, 398, 198.6, $790.04; 9, S.D. Armstrong, Toongabbie, 382, 197.8, $754.91; 16, G. and S.A. Cannata, Leongatha, 358, 188.7, $675.67; 7, J.A. and M.A. Dawson, Welshpool, 334, 188.5, $628.77; 7, O. Talha, Millgrove, 362, 188.3, $681.99; 9, N.J. and S.K. Geary, Barool, 307, 186.4, $571.71; 20, Henry and Pickerton, Poowong, 346, 180.8, $625.18.
Steers
Sixteen, Carpenter Nom., Cranbourne, 413, 182, $750.75; 8, D.A. Jerram, Leongatha, 450, 181.6, $817.20; 49, J.M. and J.M. Dodds, Arawata, 442, 179.8, $794.85; 12, Mrs M. Mills, Five Ways, 519, 169, $876.28; 7, P. Horan, Airly, 575, 168.6, $969.45; 16, C. and V. Constansa, Monomeith, 517, 168, $868.35.
Heifers
Eleven, H. Klimsch, Macclesfield, 385, 172, $661.42.
Bullocks
Six, N. Knights, Garfield, 586, 157, $921.00.
Cows
Nine, Gisborne Park, Gisborne, 485, 137.7, $667.00; 6, B.R. and M. Couch, Bass, 693, 134.6, $933.40; 5, Robert Mason, Somerville, 594, 134.6, $799.60; 7, Reita and Wilmott, Kilcunda, 605, 126.9, $767.86.
