THERE were approximately 520 export and 850 young cattle penned representing an increase of 400 head from the sale of a fortnight ago at the Victorian Livestock Exchange in Pakenham.
There was a full field of buyers present and competing in a dearer market.
Quality improved a little with a larger selection of grain assisted cattle while prime grass finished lines were in short supply.
Heavy weight vealers suited to butcher orders lifted five cents to six cents and more for well-bred lighter calves to feed on.
The yearling draft held a larger proportion of grain assisted calves and competition was strong from the trade as vealers with finish were not meeting order requirements.
Yearling trade steers gained four cents to 12 cents while the heifer portion improved 14 cents to 22 cents. Grown steers and bullocks sold six cents to 13 cents dearer.
Heavy weight vealers to butchers sold from 295 cents to 336 cents.
Yearling trade steers made between 295 cents and 327 cents.
Yearling heifers to the trade sold between 265 cents and 326 cents.
Medium weight feeder steers made from 275 cents to 308 cents with the heifer portion from 250 cents to 308 cents.
Grown steers sold from 285 cents to 309 cents.
Bullocks made between 282 cents and 308 cents.
A limited selection of heavy weight grown heifers sold up to 292 cents. A handful of heavy weight crossbred manufacturing steers reached a top of 295 cents.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 9 May is: 1, Alex Scott and Staff; 2, Everitt, Seeley and Bennetts; 3, Landmark; 4, Elders; 5, S.E.J.; 6, Rodwells; 7, Nathan Gibbon Livestock.
The next store sale is on Thursday 5 May at 10am.
Top Vealer
One, M Robinson, Moorooduc, 370 kilograms, 335.6 cents per kilogram, $1,241.72.
Vealers
Thirty one, P Schroen, Bunyip North, 518, 312.3, $1,620.51; 71, Freefarm, Eddington, 503, 303.6, $1,526.97; 10, JG and I Barber, Yarra Junction, 265, 295.6, $781.89; 14, C and A Munckhoff, Coldstream, 327, 286.3, $936.51.
Steers
Fifty eight, B and D Waterfall, Lang Lang, 419, 326.6, $1,368.00; 18, I and R Hengstberger, Dumbalk North, 403, 320.0, $1,290.67; 30, Estste E Paynter, Darnum, 577, 308.6, $1,781.14; 30, Watergrass Hill Angus, Neerim, 537, 305.0, $1,639.38; 10, TE and WN Renshaw, Warragul, 579, 305.0, $1,767.48; 12, Calssicus P/L, Dromana, 557, 303.6, $1,691.05; 10, Sars Investments, Ferntree Gully, 534, 301.6, $1,610.50; 11, Bridlewood Farm, Tonimbuk, 446, 297.0, $1,326.00; 15, Tide Luck Pty Ltd, Buln Buln East, 513, 291.0, $1,493.00.
Heifers
Ten, Grandiflora Nurseries, Lyndhurst, 444, 295.6, $1,310.99; 18, V Vukelic, Pearcedale, 384, 295.0, $1,131.00.
Bullocks
Seventeen, M and L Shine, Wollert, 652, 305.3, $1,991.37; 11, P Hansen, Toongabbie, 688, 300.8, $2,068.55; 12, Hocking Brothers, Officer, 655, 295.3, $1,933.25.
