NUMBERS declined at VLE Pakenham this week and so did the quality with the extremely cold wind affecting cattle quality.
This contributed to the higher prices achieved with demand being stronger for most classes of cattle in the smaller market that included a good percentage of medium to heavy weight yearlings and grown cattle.
Early in the sale some prices were unchanged to easier, but this was driven only by plain quality.
As the quality improved so did demand and therefore prices, which were mostly two cents to seven cents per kilogram dearer.
However, strong competition for some of the heavier yearlings saw prices lift by as much as 11 cents per kilogram.
Only 370 vealers were penned, which did vary in quality. The better quality vealers all made from 235 cents to 272 cents, while others made anywhere between 172 cents and 230 cents per kilogram.
Some of this was due to stronger feedlot and restocker demand for lighter weight cattle.
An isolated sale of yearling steers saw a top price of 236 cents paid with most of the 310 steers making 185 cents to 210 cents per kilogram.
The 180 heifers also sold well with most making 168 cents to 210 cents per kilogram.
Plain condition cattle made from 150 cents to 215 cents per kilogram with some purchased to feed-on making the higher prices here.
Prices for the 160 grown steers and 20 grown heifers were two cents to five cents per kilogram dearer.
Prime C muscle bullocks made from 176 cents to 196 cents, and manufacturing grades 151 cents to 181 cents per kilogram.
Grown heifers varied greatly in weight and quality making 147 cents to 176 cents per kilogram.
The VLE Draw for the week commencing Monday 18 July is as follows: 1, Everitt, Seeley and Bennetts; 2, Elders; 3, SEJ; 4, Mick Hornsby; 5, Rodwells; 6, Nathan Gibbon; 7, Alex Scott; 8, Landmark.
The next Store Sale is Thursday 21 July commencing at 10am.
Vealers
Ten, J. Moncreiff, Mirboo North, 380 kilograms, 255 cents per kilogram, $969.00; 24, B. and A. Chapman, Toora, 373, 252.8, $942.30; 15, R.J. and M. Knight, Foster, 361, 249, $898.92; 8, L.M. and B.J. O’Sullivan, Foster, 339, 240.6, $818.00; 16, R. and J. Young, Pearcedale, 292, 235.7, $687.23; 6, G. and R. Knox, Loch, 331, 233.3, $773.78; 10, M.J. and P.F. Williams, Dalyston, 316, 230, $726.91; 16, A. Willoughby, Bayles, 340, 228.6, $777.24; 12, Alberti Investments, Berwick, 310, 226.5, $702.26; 28, N.P. and J.A. Chandler, Hedley, 382, 224.5, $859.33; 15, K.F. and C.M. Scanlon, Bayles, 298, 224.5, $668.32; 9, G. Reid, Loch, 389, 221.6, $863.07; 17, Vic Cert Seed Potato Auth., Toolangi, 347, 216.3, $752.00; 6, Ballarto Lodge, Pakenham South, 275, 214.5, $589.31; 6, T.A. and E.R. Hart, Corinella, 345, 207, $716.36; 12, H.J. Salmon, Bass, 332, 205.5, $683.21.
Steers
Eleven, A., P., S. and M. Harris, Dumbalk, 477, 236.2, $1127.00; 9, P.R. and L. Ismail, Launching Place, 427, 199.7, $851.93; 18, D.M. Valentine, Neerim Junction, 534, 198.2, $1058.55; 14, S. Lyon, Neerim South, 620, 195.6, $1212.02; 13, E. Paynter, Darnum, 620, 194.6, $1206.52; 8, E.T., and C.F. Beattie, Kyneton, 610, 190.6, $1163.00; 9, Mr P. Hare, Glengarry, 534, 190, $1015.00; 9, P. Moore, Balnarring, 527, 184.6, $973.25; 12, M.M. and J.M. Heenan, Lardner, 560, 183.9, $1028.00; 9, Mrs A. Van Der Peet, Bittern, 715, 177.6, $1270.00.
Heifers
Twenty nine, Ellerslie Park, Fish Creek, 378, 205.9, $777.86; 9, R.M. and V.I. Brown, Leongatha, 410, 203.4, $834.05; 9, G. and S.A. Cannata, Leongatha, 459, 189.6, $871.11.
Bullocks
Fourteen, K. Hill, Nyora, 615, 190, $1167.82; 13, G.B. Banon, Lancefield, 676, 185.9, $1257.00; 15, Linemarg P/L, Modella, 639, 185.6, $1186.60.