THERE were approximately 450 export and 650 young cattle penned representing a decrease of 260 head week-on-week at the Victorian Livestock Exchange.
There was a full field of buyers present and competing in a dearer market.
Quality was mixed with prime grass finished lines in short supply and most well finished drafts being grain assisted.
Competition was fierce from lot feeders and restockers with reports of good rain in many supply areas and more forecast to come.
Vealers lifted five cents to 10 cents per kilogram for most with a lot of light weights in the draft.
Most yearling trade cattle gained six cents to 11 cents and up to 20 cents for some.
Well-bred young cattle to feed or restock improved 10 cents to 20 cents for most.
Grown steers lifted six cents while the bullocks sold firm in a very limited offering. Heavy weight Friesian manufacturing steers held firm.
Heavy weight vealers to butcher orders sold from 302 cents to 340 cents. Yearling trade steers made between 297 cents to 334 cents.
Yearling heifers to the trade sold between 277 cents and 334 cents. Feeder steers made mostly from 280 cents to 320 cents with the heifer portion from 242 cents to 314 cents.
Grown steers sold from 282 cents to 314 cents. Bullocks made between 292 cents and 306 cents. Heavy weight Friesian manufacturing steers averaged 243 cents while a handful of crossbreds reached a top of 286 cents.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 16 May is: 1, Elders; 2, Landmark; 3, Nathan Gibbon Livestock; 4, S.E.J.; 5, Everitt, Seeley and Bennetts; 6, Alex Scott and Staff; 7, Rodwells.
The next store sale is on Thursday 19 May at 10am.
Vealers
Twelve, Kindergem, Whelshpool, 313 kilograms, 330.0 cents per kilogram, $1,034.00; 15, A and M Virgona, Launching Place, 371, 323.0, $1,198.00, 26, EA and TA Bruns, Woodside, 338, 317.0, $1,070.00; 8, W and B Dando, Lara, 317, 305.7, $968.79.
Steers
Eighteen, IC and R Hengstberger, Dumbalk North, 394, 333.6, $1,314.94; 24, G Burr, Woori Yallock, 465, 314.0, $1,460.00, 19, F Fotopoulos, Cardinia, 544, 312.0, $1,698.76; 13, PR and L Ismail, Launching Place, 555, 310.0, $1,721.69.
Heifers
Twenty, H Adams, Yarra Glen, 391, 301.1, $1,178.24; 27, G and G Peck, Yannathan, 418, 299.3, $1,251.72; 10, Millenium Pty Ltd, Yarra Glen, 496, 297.6, $1,477.58; 14, H Lenders, Iona, 598, 282.0, $1,688.98; 8, B and K Carey, Millbrook, 584, 274.6, $1,604.69.
Bullocks
Twelve, J and S Rawlings, Gembrook, 665, 305.6, $2,032.24.
