Quality picks sought in plainer yarding

ALTHOUGH the yarding was of a similar size, the quality was not as good at VLE Pakenham with a much larger percentage of plain condition cattle penned. This plainer quality was seen over a large range of cattle, but was more endemic in the lighter weight young cattle.
Because of the quality changes, which included more dairy and dairy crossbred cattle, price averages were lower by up to five cents per kilogram, but allowing for the quality prices were unchanged to dearer.
Because of the lack of top quality yearling cattle in the sale, there was very strong competition between a couple of buyers for a line of cattle renowned for the high dressing percentages and meat quality.
These supplementary-fed yearlings made 10 cents per kilogram more with one sale of five head at 245 cents per kilogram. Their mates made 227 cents and 235 cents while other very good quality vealers and yearlings made between 200 cents, for steers over 500 kilograms liveweight to 230 cents per kilogram for the best vealers.
Once again lot feeders set the pace for a large range of steers and heifers purchasing around 35 per cent of the yarding. Prices paid for most cattle to feed were from 175 cents to 197 cents, and producers paid up to 201 cents per kilogram for light weight steers. Because of the plainer nature of the yarding there were several sales of poor quality, and dairy bred cattle that made between 131 cents and 170 cents per kilogram.
Several sales of heavy yearling steers, plus some grown steers and heifers were of a very good price. Steers made between 170 cents and 190 cents, heifers from 145 cents to 168 cents, and a small sale of over fat cows and heifers between 140 cents and 154 cents per kilogram. Some of the steer prices were less than the previous sale, but still very good when balanced against the rest of the sale.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 3 August is as follows: 1, Elders; 2, Landmark; 3, Rodwells; 4, Alex Scott; 5, Mick Hornsby; 6, Everitt and Seeley; 7, SEJ; 8, Nathan Gibbon.
The next store sale is Thursday 6 August commencing at 10am.

Vealers

Eight, B. H. and L. M. Seebeck, Pakenham, 408 kilograms, 240 cents per kilogram, $981.04; 4, A. and A. J. Simpkin, Nar Nar Goon, 388, 226.1, $878.96; 17, Blackmore Past., Grantville, 341, 209.5, $715.38; 7, F. and B. Taylor, Nar Nar Goon, 362, 203.4, $736.71; 9, A. and S. Vugs, Nar Nar Goon North, 357, 201.1, $718.31; 42, B. S. Cantwell Livestock, Welshpool, 323, 197.7, $640.

Steers

Ten, R. L. and C. Catt, Yarragon, 473, 203.2, $962.15; 4, P. J. Towt, Whittlesea, 535, 200, $1070; 8, Roy Allen, Lyndhurst, 547, 195.6, $1070.91; 15, D. J. and H. M. Matthies, Leongatha, 474, 195.2, $925.25; 15, A. Andreata, Cora Lynn, 456, 193, $880; 10, Ron Chatfield, Nar Nar Goon North, 501, 192, $961.92; 14, Dr G. Burrows, Shoreham, 556, 190, $1055; 5, B. W. and S. J. Healey, Balnarring, 534, 190, $1015; 25, R. E. Townley and Sons, Bayles, 415, 187, $774; 8, G. J. and J. Russ, Tyabb, 531, 186.9, $992.67; 7, P. and A. Hansen, Toongabbie, 630, 186, $1172; 7, A. Kasickis, Moorooduc, 604, 185.6, $1120.23.

Heifers

Sixteen, S. A. Ould, Dayleston, 402, 193, $776.43; 17, R. B. and V. G. Peterson, Drouin South, 347, 192, $679.79; 8, Cooma, Officer, 403, 184, $742.85; 14, C. P. S. Duncan, Neerim South, 398, 183, $728.08; 17, G. R. and R. R. Deppler, Sale, 578, 178, $1030; 10, Ron Chatfield, Nar Nar Goon North, 425, 178, $757.39; 20, J. Berends, Carrum Downs, 415, 176.8, $733.43; 42, S. and R. Evans, Mirboo, 537, 169, $910; 11, F. M. Schellenkens, Wonthaggi, 560, 168, $942.

Bullocks

Twenty two, R. and S. Wade, Bullarook, 642, 198.6, $1274; 9, M. and B. Altmore, Warragul, 757, 192.6, $1459.48; 10, D. and B. Jenkins, Woori Yallock, 613, 192, $1176.96; 36, E. and A. Tribuzi, Lang Lang, 602, 192, $1155.20; 10, P. and M. Davis, Bayles, 608, 190.2, $1156.42; 9, D. D. C. Pastoral, Kooweerup, 640.6, 190, $1217.06; 13, L. Greening, Bunyip, 585, 188.2, $1101.