FEWER cattle were penned at VLE Pakenham, and overall the quality was not as good with only a few top quality vealers or supplementary-fed yearlings penned.
There were very good numbers of heavy steers and grown steers penned, some of which were supplementary fed, but at times the quality of the young cattle was the worst seen here for some time.
While the competition was not as good, demand for the small number of top quality was strong and prices were unchanged.
However, the balance of the yarding sold to weaker demand, which saw prices fall mostly two cents to 10 cents per kilogram.
Some of this was due to weaker demand from feedlot buyers, and also the quality changes.
Very strong demand for the very best grain fattened yearlings saw these top the sale at 235 cents per kilogram.
Away from these few cattle strong demand for the other good quality young cattle saw most make from 185 cents to 215 cents with B muscle steers and heifers to 225 cents per kilogram.
Purchases by feedlots were mostly between 165 cents and 188 cents, and re-stockers paid up to 210 cents per kilogram picking out most of the light-weight Angus steers.
Whether it was the soon to be reduction in export competition, or the very good prices of late, there was a larger percentage of heavy and grown steers penned.
The very best of these C muscle, 2, 3 and 4 score steers made between 180 cents and 190 cents, which was six cents per kilogram cheaper.
Other heavy steers made from 155 cents to 180 cents and some grown heifers sold between 144 cents and 174 cents per kilogram.
Because of the plainer quality penned, there were some sales of poor quality cattle that made between 140 cents and 158 cents per kilogram.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 17 August is as follows: 1, Rodwells; 2, Alex Scott; 3, Everitt and Seeley; 4, SEJ; 5, Landmark; 6, Nathan Gibbon; 7, Mick Hornsby; 8, Elders.
The next store sale is Thursday 20 August commencing at 10am.
Vealers
Nine, B. and L. Seebeck, Berwick, 394 kilograms, 232.4 cents per kilogram, $915.65; 37, B. and L. Seebeck, Berwick, 383, 212, $811.96; 14, J. G. and P. R. Frost, Rockbank, 401.8, 204.5, $821.72; 12, G. and Y. Virgona, Launching Place, 390, 198.5, $774.07; 4, H. R. and L. A. Cos, French Island, 380, 195.5, $743.05; 18, Peter Miller, Tooradin, 327, 191.2, $625.70; 6, F. and B. Taylor, Nar Nar Goon, 315, 188.4, $593.58.
Steers
Fourteen, Ingle Park, Yanakie, 622, 190, $1182; 6, K. Huxtable, Cardinia, 566, 188.6, $1068.73; 4, Sackville, Mernda, 611, 188.6, $1152.82; 14, B. Waterfall, Carrum Downs, 546, 187.4, $1023.77; 8, B. Garbossa, Red Hill, 569, 186.5, $1061.93.
Heifers
Eighteen, E. Csenar, Namganna, 377, 182.9, $689.58; 10, N. and M. Bracecamp, Leongatha, 377, 182.3, $687.31; 8, F. and J. Reedy, Caldermeade, 492, 179.5, $883.79; 54, Ellerslie Park, Fish Creek, 414, 179, $740.87; 18, Blackmore Past., Grantville, 393, 177.5, $697.72; 22, R. and J. Chatfield, Nar Nar Goon, 419, 176.4, $740.26; 17, M. Mansfield, Greenvale, 400, 169.2, $676.97.
Bullocks
Eight, S. Page, Rye, 717, 190, $1363; 15, Holts, Almurta, 677, 189.6, $1285; 26, E. and A. Tribuzi, Heath Hill, 711, 188, $1337.18; 12, B. Williamson, Phillip Island, 650, 184, $1195.87; 5, J. and V. Williams, Caldermeade, 692, 182.2, $1260.82.
Cows
Six, DDC Pastoral, Kooweerup, 545, 157.4, $858; 6, B. Pitman, Yannathan, 560, 150.9, $845.15; 18, Janttrad P/L, The Gurdies, 564, 148.9, $840.49.
