THERE are several things to consider when trying to analyse the sale at VLE Pakenham this week, one of which was the number of cattle.
Despite a very cold and wet day when producers would be mustering and loading their cattle, the number of cattle offered was slightly higher than the previous week. Other considerations were the position in the sale, the weight and quality of the cattle, and some extra competition for heavier steers. On top of this, there was very strong demand for cattle to feed-on, especially for several lines of well bred cattle. The sale opened to very strong demand, and was up to six cents dearer, but both demand and competition waned from there to see prices finish equal to eight cents per kilogram easier.
With fewer of the very top quality B muscle vealers penned, very strong demand saw these make from 220 cents to 237 cents per kilogram. Supplementary fed yearlings of similar weight and quality to these vealers made between 200 cents and 225 cents per kilogram.
Many pens of good quality C muscle cattle were offered with strong competition between trade buyers and lot feeders, setting some very good rates early in the sale. Most trade purchases were between 165 cents and 200 cents, while a lot of the feeder cattle made from 165 cents to 187 cents per kilogram. Restockers paid up to 199 cents per kilogram for European cross calves.
There was extra competition for a number of heavier yearlings and grown steers, which aided a lift of up to six cents per kilogram. Yearling steers made between 155 cents and 184 cents with grown steers making to 169 cents per kilogram. Most other yearlings made from 145 cents to 175 cents per kilogram.
Because of the plainer condition of some cattle, price averages were firm to six cents per kilogram lower. If the cattle offered were a little too plain, prices were from 115 cents to 148 cents per kilogram.
Vealers
Four, G. and M. Lomagno, Leongatha South, 322 kilograms, 219.9 cents per kilogram, $707.34; 4, B. Emons, Tynong North, 380, 205.3, $780.25; 14, J. and K. Garry, Kernot, 301, 200, $602.00; 8, Doug Robinson, Pentland Hills, 390, 188, $734.20; 21, Blackmore Past. Co., Grantville, 339, 186, $630.00; 20, D. and P. Dempsey, Stoney Creek, 448, 183.6, $821.00; 14, T.G. and L. Andrews, Nar Nar Goon, 328, 181.1, $593.05; 8, J. McGuinness, Kooweerup, 390, 179.6, $699.26.
Steers
Eighteen, R.G. Hughes, Nar Nar Goon, 463, 187, $868.00; 13, C.K. and D.N. Doherty, Longwarry North, 394, 185, $729.00; 8, Wilson and Thomas, Yannathan, 487, 180, $876.38; 29, J. and S. Purser, Bass, 412, 177, $729.24; 40, Lang Lang Grazing, Lang Lang, 408, 175, $714.00; 13, Wiltara, Clyde, 507, 175, $888.00; 8, W.G. Egan Cattle Co., Leongatha, 496, 172.4, $855.43; 12, G. Wright, The Gurdies, 551, 171.2, $943.74; 12, G.L. Taylor and Son, Humevale, 483, 161, $782.00; 12, D. and M. Balcers, Balnarring, 532, 160.6, $853.78; 6, J. and D. Banks, Clyde, 610, 160.5, $978.97.
Heifers
Fourteen, D. and L. Pastoral, Kardella, 409, 166, $676.00; 12, G. and K. Morris, Grantville, 418, 165, $689.70.
Bullocks
Seven, P. Horan, Airly, 575, 168.6, $969.45.
X-bred Bullocks
Twelve, G.R. and C.E. Kent, Dalyston, 715, 146.6, $1048.00; 7, R. and J. Ferguson, Nyora, 811, 146.6, $1189.50.
Cows
Five, Red Gem Growers, Nar Nar Goon, 646, 132.6, $856.60; 10, G. Coleman, Yea, 560, 130.2, $729.12.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 4 May is as follows: 1, SEJ; 2, Rodwells; 3, Nathan Gibbon; 4, Elders; 5, Alex Scott; 6, Mick Hornsby; 7, Landmark; 8, Everitt and Seeley.
The next Store Sale is 30 April commencing at 10am.
