A LARGE fall in supply of 30 per cent at VLE Pakenham, plus strong demand from feedlots for suitable cattle set the scene for a very good sale.
Strong competition from all quarters saw further price increases that were mostly between three cents and five cents per kilogram better.
However, the need for cattle to feed on, and the lack of supply of suitable numbers saw some of the lighter weight C muscle vealers and yearlings sell at rates to 15 cents per kilogram higher.
Prices for the penning of 450 vealers were excellent.
The supply of good to very good quality B muscle vealers made from 222 cents to 245 cents, and all bar a very few of the balance made from 205 cents to 235 cents per kilogram.
Restockers and feedlots paid between 215 cents and 245 cents per kilogram for their purchases, and a lot of the time competed head to head with processors.
The highlight of this part of the sale was a 229 cent per kilogram average for all vealers.
Approximately 700 yearling steers and heifers were penned, and all sold to very good competition, even some very heavy cattle.
Feeder steers made to 242 cents and most of those purchased by the trade were between 190 cents and 215 cents for heavy steers, which weighed to, and over 600 kilograms liveweight.
Others made from 200 cents to 238 cents per kilogram. Heifers also sold well making from 195 cents to 225 cents per kilogram for most sales.
A price average for steers and heifers of 210 cents per kilogram was very significant.
Also penned were 290 grown cattle, which all sold to strong competition.
Prices for prime C muscle bullocks were between 188 cents for very heavy 800 kilogram bullocks, to 212 cents per kilogram for the proffered weights of the low 600 kilogram range.
Other bullocks made from 172 cents to 199 cents, and some grown heifers made between 162 cents and 194 cents per kilogram.
The VLE Draw for the week commencing Monday 28 February is as follows: 1, Mick Hornsby; 2, Nathan Gibbon; 3, Landmark; 4, Rodwells; 5, Alex Scott; 6, Elders; 7, SEJ; 8, Everitt and Seeley.
The next Store Sale is Thursday 3 March commencing at 10am.
Steers
Fourteen, M.C. and R. McRae, Buffalo, 539, 221.6, $1195.06; 13, Dr P. Strapman, Merricks, 545, 212, $1157.00; 13, Torwood Farm, Allura, 607, 211.6, $1285.88; 9, A.S. Murdoch, Flinders, 617, 210, $1297.00; 12, D.N. and B.M. Jenkins, Woori Yallock, 569, 209.6, $1192.00; 10, A. and C. Tonks, Pakenham, 575, 208.6, $1199.45; 7, Mrs N. Black, Monomeith, 554, 207.1, $1148.09; 6, G.H. and M.B. Unthank, Fish Creek, 649, 206.6, $1341.00; 10, McGrath Rural, Nar Nar Goon, 546, 205.4, $1121.64; 23, Maleela Holdings, Woodstock, 508, 202, $1026.00.
Vealers
Fifteen, K. and A. Couch, Bass, 413 kilograms, 239.2 cents per kilogram, $988.05; 11, W. Aich, Dumbalk, 383, 238, $910.88; 14, Nimitybell Pastoral, Bena, 371, 236.6, $877.84; 16, N.J. and S.K. Geary, Boorool, 363, 235.8, $855.62; 10, Geoff Bond, Leongatha, 406, 234.3, $952.49; 8, Eau De Cale, Glen Forbes, 393, 233.1, $916.25; 17, A. and M. George, Grantville, 377, 232, $873.54; 16, H.J. Salmon, Bass, 326, 231.7, $756.69; 27, P.C. and K.M. Eden, Glen Forbes, 399, 227.8, $909.52; 15, W. and C. Slade, Woolamai, 349, 227.3, $794.05; 31, B. Free, Lang Lang, 332, 225.9, $749.40; 17, P. and J. Townley, Loch, 355, 225.9, $802.05; 13, G. and C. Sexton, Konwak, 371, 225.5, $837.79; 11, J. and L. McLeish, Kooweerup, 445, 223.6, $995.85; 37, Brian and Thorson, Poowong East, 353, 222.2, $785.90.
Heifers
Thirteen, A. Coleman, Bittern, 426, 213.7, $910.04; 39, G. and A. Waters, Walkerville, 500, 206.4, $1032.67; 24, D.L. Overcliff P/L, Springfield, 421, 206.3, $868.58.
Bullocks
Twenty, M.A. McCormack and Sons, Caldermeade, 616, 210, $1294.13; 10, Bunya Park, Gruyere, 672, 205, $1377.60; 10, M.R. Prosser, Red Hill, 673, 204.6, $1377.00; 14, A. and M. Justice, Craigieburn, 616, 203.6, $1255.78; 12, Stevenson and Dew, Poowong, 700, 200, $1400.00.
