SURPRISINGLY there was a reasonable life in the supply of cattle at VLE Pakenham, but one agent said that it was due to Mother’s Day with producers and carriers not wanting to work on such an important day.
Whatever the reason the yarding was offered to a larger field of buyers, and coupled with some good to very good quality cattle, prices were mostly unchanged to five cents per kilogram dearer.
However, demand was erratic throughout the sale, which saw some of the plainer condition cattle average firm to three cents per kilogram easier.
The penning of 785 vealers were of all weights, shapes and condition, but most were in reasonable to very good condition.
Prices for the best quality B muscle vealers were between 207 cents and 236 cents, with numerous other sales of C muscle calves from 165 cents to 200 cents per kilogram.
Yearling steers and heifers were in very good supply, and competition for some of these 900 head, and vealers was very strong with lot feeders setting a high level.
Most of the light and medium steers made from 158 cents to 200 cents with a similar grade of heifers from 152 cents to 185 cents per kilogram.
Purchasing over 30 per cent of the yarding, lot feeders had a very big influence on the outcome.
They purchased a large range of weights and quality from 145 cents to 186 cents with restockers paying as high as 219 cents per kilogram for lightweight calves.
There was a larger supply of heavier steers, heifers and grown steers penned, and some of these were of very good quality.
Prices for the heavy yearling steers were between 159 cents and 176 cents, and averaged five cents per kilogram higher despite selling to one less buyer.
Grown steers made to 176 cents per kilogram, also selling at the higher rates. Grown heifers sold well to make between 140 cents and 158 cents per kilogram.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 11 May is as follows: 1, Mick Hornsby; 2, Rodwells; 3, Everitt and Seeley; 4, SEJ; 5, Nathan Gibbon; 6, Landmark; 7, Elders; 8, Alex Scott.
The next store sale is 14 May commencing at 10am.
Vealers
Twelve, Eljay Equity Pty Ltd, Garfield North, 287 kilograms, 210.3 cents per kilogram, $603.67; 11, R. and L. Hoy, Leongatha, 318, 209.7, $666.15; 12, B. McCarthy, Longwarry, 333, 203.1, $675.15; 24, D. Ross, Nar Nar Goon, 408, 193.4, $789.21; 18, E. A. and T. A. Bruns, Woodside, 315, 192.5, $606; 15, R. P. and L. Lomagno, Jumbunna, 351, 189.6, $664.55; 10, T. and S. Borschman, Leongatha, 387, 188.5, $728.53; 11, P. M. and M. A. Burns, Clarkefield, 331, 184.9, $612.80.
Steers
Twenty one, J. C. and M. C. Walker, Almurta, 560, 176, $983; 12, C. A. Balfour, Tyabb, 636, 172.6, $1098.17; 8, R. Allen, Lyndhurst, 505, 172.1, $870.41; 6, K. and K. Huxtable, Cardinia, 538, 168, $904.40.
Heifers
Twenty, D. H. K. Investments, Flinders, 334, 178, $594.50; 22, J. Carter, Almurta, 369, 174, $643; 11, R. J. and R. H. Findlay Nom., Leongatha, 374, 172.6, $644.90; 12, Y. Bell Farms, Clyde, 360, 170.6, $613.45; 8, G. D. and D. L. Beyer, Allambee South, 376, 168.5, $632.77; 17, Harlow Park Est., Flinders, 394, 165, $650.29; 6, L. R. and K. A. Morris, Hazel Park, 353, 163.6, $578.05; 13, G. H. Parke, Jindivick, 402, 162, $651.12.
Bullocks
Ten, J. Howell, Flinders, 568, 163.2, $927.18; 12, G. L. Taylor and Son, Humevale, 483, 161, $782; 12, D. and M. Balcers, Balnarring, 532, 160.6, $853.78; 6, J. and D. Banks, Clyde, 610, 160.5, $978.97; 12, G. and K. Morrison, Pearcedale, 632, 160.2, $1012.60.
Friesian bullocks
Nineteen, R.J.M. Kershaw, Archies Creek, 615, 142.6, $876.99.
Cows
Nine, P. Hendriksen, Skye, 487, 136, $662; 25, M. P. McMahon, Kyneton, 554, 133.6, $740; 12, J. and H. Ventri, Ransby, 544, 133.2, $724.93.
