BEING closer to Christmas, more cattle were penned at VLE Pakenham, and the yarding included more top quality vealers and yearlings.
Fewer heavy yearlings and grown steers were penned, but these too were in very good condition.
Over the whole yarding, there was only a small number of plain condition cattle penned.
Because of the very good quality, price averages were up to three cents per kilogram higher, but stronger demand saw most of the heavy and grown steers sell at rates up to four cents per kilogram dearer.
Effectively, given the higher dressing percentages that processors should receive, prices at the works will be unchanged.
Close to 800 vealers were penned, and there was good competition because of the very good quality.
However, as seen over the past few weeks, prices remained low with B muscle vealers making between 163 cents and 188 cents for most sales.
There were one or two single sales up to 197 cents per kilogram.
Other good quality vealers made between 140 cents and 175 cents per kilogram with lighter weight calves selling very well.
About 450 yearling steers and heifers were sold, which included some supplementary fed cattle.
These fed yearlings made up to 183 cents, but most of the grass-fattened steers made between 148 cents and 166 cents per kilogram.
Most of the heifers sold were in good to very good condition, and made from 136 cents to 156 cents with supplementary fed lines to 180 cents per kilogram.
Lot feeders were active throughout the sale, although the competition was not as good.
Prices paid for steers and heifers to feed were mostly between 130 cents and 162 cents with isolated sales of European breed steers to 175 cents per kilogram.
Demand was stronger for heavy yearling and grown steers, which created a four cents per kilogram lift in price. Prime condition C3 and C4 steers made from 146 cents to 158 cents per kilogram.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 14 December is as follows: 1, Alex Scott; 2, Everitt and Seeley; 3, Mick Hornsby; 4, Nathan Gibbon; 5, Rodwells, 6, Elders; 7, Landmark; 8, SEJ.
The next store sale is Thursday 10 December commencing at 10am.
Vealers
Fourteen, B. and M. Couch, Bass, 382 kilograms, 178.1 cents per kilogram, $681.20; 7, J. and S. Anderson, Lang Lang, 383, 177.5, $679.66; 40, G.A. Bett, Yea, 391, 176.8, $692.50; 17, A.R. and W.E. Cotchin, Woolert, 318, 174.9, $555.96; 3, B.H. and L.M. Seebeck, Pakenham, 455, 174.8, $795.48; 15, J. and R. Dixon, Ventnor, 424, 174.3, $738.96; 8, M. and H. Arestia, Krowera, 366, 173.3, $634.55; 15, Alma Livestock, Bass, 399, 173, $689.58; 25, T. Holman, Alexandra, 356, 170.8, $609.34; 13, T. and E. Hart, Corinella, 361, 167.5, $605.56; 25, S. and E. Iannello, Garfield, 362, 166.4, $603.08; 18, P.T. Hannett, Navarre, 305, 164.2, $501.71; 44, Stan T. Hamilton, Ararat, 497, 157.1, $780.60; 13, Linemarg, Modella, 325, 154.9, $504.05; 36, Hemley Pastoral, Stawell, 357, 151.5, $541.67.
Steers
Five, E. Ferguson, Nar Nar Goon, 534, 159, $849.06; 9, A. and P. Vieceli, Keysborough, 611, 151.2, $923.28.
Heifers
Seven, H. and M. Nyhuis, Cora Lynn, 483, 152.2, $734.91; 16, Meadowview Prop, Borool, 402, 149.2, $599.60; 11, J. Raskatos, Nar Nar Goon, 399, 148.6, $579.62; 13, Dr A. Gronow, Shoreham, 409, 148, $605.66.
Bullocks
Eleven, G. Murray, Nar Nar Goon, 622, 156.2, $972; 6, B. and H. Kemp, Dromana, 555, 154.6, $859.32; 11, M. and S. Ashton, Shoreham, 654, 154.2, $1007.21; 7, G.E. and M.T. Petherbridge, Dromana, 635, 154.2, $979.17; 11, A. Cockram, Shoreham, 703, 153.4, $1078.13; 8, H. Edden, Kernot, 633, 153.2, $969.75; 8, Locklaw Nom, Lang Lang, 645, 150.2, $969.78; 10, D.E. Kent, Lang Lang, 700, 149.2, $1045.12; 10, Linemarg P/L, Modella, 718, 149.2, $1071.26; 24, Kentucky P/L, Yarra Glen, 750, 145.7, $1092.62.
