Shortage drives up market

There were approximately 350 export and 430 young cattle penned at VLE, Pakenham, representing a decrease of 550 head week-on-week, with a full field of buyers present and competing in a dearer market.
Quality was mixed with store cattle well supplied while there was a better selection of grain assisted trade cattle on offer.
Lot feeders and restockers played a significant role in the lift in demand.
There were very few vealers penned.
Yearling trade steers lifted 15 cents per kilogram.
Yearling heifers to the trade kicked 10 cents to 20 cents per kilogram.
Young feeder cattle gained 10 cents to 15 cents per kilogram.
The 200 grown steers and bullocks improved 10 cents to 15 cents per kilogram.
A handful of vealers sold mostly from 300 cents to 330 cents per kilogram. Yearling trade steers made between 306 cents and 349 cents per kilogram.
Yearling heifers to the trade sold between 282 cents and 345 cents per kilogram.
Feeder steers made from 280 cents to 306 cents with the heifer portion from 270 cents to 303 cents per kilogram.
Grown steers and bullocks sold from 290 cents to 339 cents per kilogram.
A handful of Friesian manufacturing steers reached 267 cents while the crossbreds topped at 306 cents per kilogram.
A better selection of heavy weight grown heifers made between 265 cents and 306 cents per kilogram.
The VLE Draw for the week commencing Monday 3 August is as follows: 1, Landmark; 2, Everitt, Seeley and Bennetts; 3, Rodwells; 4, Alex Scott and Staff; 5, Elders; 6, Nathan Gibbon Livestock; 7, SEJ.
The next Store Sale is Thursday 30 July commencing at 10am.
VEALERS
Fifteen, A.M. George, Grantville, 360 kilograms, 329.6 cents per kilogram, $1186.00; 13, P. and J. Frost, Rockbank, 412, 320.2, $1321.46.
STEERS
Ten, B. and A. Malacarne, Yarragon, 517, 348.6, $1804.01; 37, S.T. Hamilton, Ararat, 464, 341.2, $1585.00; 14, L.M. and J.M. Kelly, Ullswater, 485, 340.0, $1651.43; 7, G. and V. Nesci, Rockbank, 555, 316.5, $1756.61; 15, Ecclesall Pty Ltd, Red Hill, 527, 315.0, $1658.00; 9, A., F.J. and P.M. Horvath, Officer, 580, 286.8, $1665.01.
HEIFERS
Nine, J.K. Ainsworth, Willung, 335, 298.6, $945.57; 11, H.D. Middleton, Icy Creek, 352, 296.6, $1045.00; 13, J. Ellis, Bayles, 382, 290.0, $1108.69; 9, M.A. McCormack and Sons, Caldermeade, 611, 288.6, $1763.67; 8, L. Evans, Pearcedale, 399, 283.6, $1132.63; 22, D. Graham, Merricks, 666, 272.0, $1812.00.
BULLOCKS
Ten, M.A. McCormack and Sons, Caldermeade, 667, 335.6, $2238.45; 11, A. and P. Johnstone, Emerald, 730, 335.6, $2450.00; 7, T. and R. Eacott, Labertouche, 634, 330.0, $2093.14; 18, N. and K. McKenzie, Jindivick, 840, 329.6, $2768.64.