92 business markets wednesday march 23 2016...

92 BUSINESS MARKETS WEDNESDAY MARCH 23 2016 THEWEEKLYTIMES.COM.AU

WKTE01Z01MA - V1

HIGH country cattlemen-finally got a taste of the betterbeef prices last week whenmore than 10,000 cattle weresold in two days to rates up to$200 better than last year.

A lack of feedlot supportdidn’t seem to dampen com-petition, with a wide range ofbidders from four states.

The National LivestockReporting service quotedweaner steers averaging $930,or 373c/kg, across the twoElders sales at Omeo andBenambra.

Elders’ Omeo Angus andblack baldy sale was the big-gest yarding on day one, andElders auctioneer MorganDavies said there were steersmaking upwards of 370c/kg.

“As the weight poppedalong, the feedlot rate on thosebetter black steers was prob-ably 330-340c/g,” he said.

“In terms of dollars perhead, $1100 to $1250 for a blackbaldy steer. Not many lighterruns of steers made under $850no matter what they weighed,so it was a fantastic result.”

Gippsland agents competedwith Hopkins River Beef forthe first run of Angus steers,which sold between $1000 and$1270.

Mountain Maid sold 22Ireland-blood Angus steers totop the draft before selling afurther 43 and averaging $1133for the whole line.

HF Richardson from Colac,Landmark Wangaratta, AlexScott and staff at Warragul,Miller Whan and John MountGambier in South Australia,

and commission buyerAndrew Lowe joined the com-petition as the calves’ weightsdropped.

Mr Lowe was operating forcentral NSW backgroundersand breeders at Albury, NSW,and Wangaratta.

Lighter lots below 330kgsold from $680 to $1000.

Black Mountain Stationoffered a big line of 280 Angussteers, topping at $970 andaveraging $916 for 254.

The first pen at $970 wentto Landmark Narrandera inNSW, while Elders Omeo tookthe second pen at the sameprice. HF Richardson Colaccame out of the gates strongly

in the heifer section, paying$1050 to $1150 for the firstthree pens of black baldies, and$1130 to $1150 for the first threepens of Angus.

Prominent Wagyu breederDavid Blackmore from Yeapicked up 343 black baldy heif-ers to a top of $980 and aver-aged $937.

And while agents werereporting the market as mak-ing recent rates as expected,the top price for steers at theblack sale in Omeo last yearwas $1100 and heifers $940,meaning vendors were stillreceiving a good bump up inreturns.

There were 1580 mainly

Mountain cattlemen get aHereford and Hereford-crosscalves put under the hammerat Benambra on day one, whenweaners and yearlings made to$1300. KW & JA Pendergastsold 15 Hereford yearlingsteers for the top money out ofpen one, while 20 Charolais of-fered by BJ & JB Caroll alsomade that, sold to Radfords.

Elders Killara feedlot atQuirindi in NSW was the mainbuyer operating on Herefordand Charolais heifers, andNRLS reported weaner heifersaveraged $871 or 325c/kgacross the two sales. Heiferstopped at $1200, for 15 Here-fords from KW & JA Pender-gast and secured by localbreeder Graham Cottrell.

Sharp Fullgrabe & Cooffered 1505 Hereford andAngus calves earlier in the day,to a top of $1205 for Angusweaner steers and $1290 forHereford yearlings.

Heifers topped at $1150 andaveraged $799, or 329c/kg.

At last year’s sale they madea top price of $995 for a pen ofAngus steers.

The NLRS reported Angusand black baldy steers, weigh-ing 200 and above, sold from238 to 295c/kg last year atOmeo and Hinnomunjie.

Principal Graeme Fullgrabesaid it was an excellent sale foryounger cattle, when freightcosts over the mountain weretaken into consideration.

“The people who boughttoday were buying on the puntthat it is going to rain. Get toMarch or April and it hasn’trained they will be red faced.But if it has, these cattle will becheap,” he said.

— JAMIE-LEE OLDFIELD

DAY ONE

2/4 score 18-22kg1st and 2nd cross

SCORE 2/3 18-24kg

LAMB IndicatorsLambsLambs2/3 score, 12-18kg

1st and 2nd cross and MerinoLambs Lambs Sheep2/3 score, 16-22kg

Merinos purchased for slaughter1/2 score, 0-18kg

purchased byrestockers or feeders

D3 400-520kgC3 400-500kg

C4 600-750kgC3 330-400kg

CowsMedium Steers Japan OxDomestic cattleVealers C3 280-330kg

BEEF Indicators Mar 2014 - Mar 2015Mar 2015 - Mar 2016

Mar 2014 - Mar 2015Mar 2015 - Mar 2016

100

190

280

370

460

JMAMFJDNOSAJ360

440

520

600

680

JMAMFJDNOSAJ240

340

440

540

640

JMAMFJDNOSAJ320

390

460

530

600

JMAMFJDNOSAJ

80

130

180

230

280

JMA MFJDNOSAJ140

195

250

305

360

JMAMFJDNOSAJ 120

170

220

270

320

JMAMFJDNOSAJ 140

195

250

305

360

JMAMFJDNOSAJ

280

370

460

550

640

JMAMFJDNOSAJ

140

195

250

305

360

JMAMFJDNOSAJ

Week ending March 20 (c/kg cwt) Brought to you by

Week ending March 20 (c/kg live weight)

Extinosad Pour-On®

308539527 491510

218292310 281308

On the up: Graham Cottrell purchased this pen of Hereford heifers at $1200 at Benambra last week. Picture: DANNIKA BONSER

THE YARDSTICK

John and Nola Ross, Benambra

Sold 328 Angus, Herefordand black baldy calves at Hinnomunjie to $1270. The 121 steers averaged $1111.

“We are about $400 above last year, and we were confident but this is well above expectation. Last year the steers averaged about $600.”

Russel and Merilyn Pendergast, Benambra

Sold 15 Hereford steers for$1190 at the Benambra Elders sale. Last year their tops made $990, and the year before $720.

“We left home thinking they weren’t that flash — it rained a lot in January but it hasn’t rained since.”

Michael Turra, Dimontee Charolais in Buchan

Said Benambra had the better yarding on day one of the sales.

“I came to potentially buymy client’s calves, but the market was too expensive.”

Reece and Wendy Newcomen, Ensay

Won the best presented Hereford pen at Ensay with 47 steers, sold at $1260. Sold 112 steers to $1300, and 51 heifers to $990.

“The top and average is upabout $200 on last year. We were a bit unsure about the heifers because they were younger and smaller, but they sold well.”

Ian Lester, King IslandPaid to $1300 for Hereford

steers at Ensay, buying 171 head all up.

“Last year we paid to $960, and overall we would have averaged about $200 more for cattle this year.”

Peter and Robyn Sandy, J&P Sandy Partnership, Swifts Creek

Sold 218 steers to $1220 and 100 heifers to $1060. Their average was up by $280.

“This will give producersdiscretionary spend for fertiliser and maintenance.’’

THEWEEKLYTIMES.COM.AU WEDNESDAY MARCH 23 2016 MARKETS BUSINESS 93

V1 - WKTE01Z01MA

TOP LOTS

HINNOMUNJIE STEERS Penderscourt: 18 Hereford-Shorthorn, January-February 2015-drop, Yavenvale and Rostulla-blood, 457kg, $1290. 17, 407kg, $1175. 20 May-June 2015-drop, 373kg, $1140. CJ Pendergast: 21 black baldy, Irelands-blood, $1270. 24, $1205. 27, $1010. 31, $980. 18 Hereford, $1090BS Dyer: 17 Hereford, $1145. 19, $1140. 22, $1100RAP&HE Bowman: 20 Angus, $1075. 14 black baldy, $1005PJ&SM Soutter: 24 Hereford, $1140. RE&ME Pendergast: 10 black baldy, $1060DF Olsson: 11 black baldy, $1060 T&AL Johnston: 20 Hereford, $1035 AL Fitzgerald: 23 Hereford, $1030

HEIFERS CJ Pendergast: 21 Angus, $1150. 23, $885. 23 black baldy, $940. 17, $795. 24, $750RAP&HE Bowman: 15 Angus, $940. 14, $800CR&YM Connley: 24 Hereford, $900 BS Dyer: 26 Hereford, $900. 24, $860RE&ME Pendergast: 11 black baldy, $830

OMEO (DAY 1)STEERS Mountain Maid: 22 Angus, Ireland-blood, $1270. 31, $1130GH&AJ Burston: 50 Angus, $1230. 58, $1140AI&RD Nicholas: 31 Angus, $1210GV&JG Crisp: 23 Angus, $1200. 28, $1130David Hurley: 18 Angus, Banquet and Ireland-blood, $1190. 30, $1130. 29, $1005RJ&AJ Crisp: 17 Angus, $1180BC&GC Flynn: 48 Angus, $1160. 25, $1100. 51, $1080D&M Plowman: 31 Angus, $1130. 19 $1040.

HEIFERS Mountain Maid: 25 Angus, $1130. 27, $90. 32, $950JA Commins & Co: 20 black baldy, $1150. 34, $1100. 20 Angus, $1150. 27, $1110. 16 $930F&DM Boulton: 23 black baldy, $1050. 74, $980. 150, $980. 119, $850GH&AJ Burston: 24 black baldy, $970 RJ&AJ Crisp: 37 Angus, $965D&M Plowman: 20 Angus, $960

BENAMBRA STEERS KW&JA Pendergast: 15 Hereford, $1300 BJ&JB Carroll: 20 Charolais, $1300. 10, $1060RK&SK Cornell: 18 Hereford, $1290CE&DG Anderson: 66 Hereford, $1200Russell and MerilynPendergast: 15 Hereford, $1190AG&SM Pendergast: 23 Hereford, $1190RG&AH Faithfull: 18 Hereford, $1170

SR&L Anderson: 18 Hereford, $1150Ray & Max Pendergast: 12 Hereford, $1140

HEIFERSKW&JA Pendergast: 15 Hereford, $1200. 24, $890 BJ&JB Carrll: 18 Charolais-cross, $1140. 21, $1060 Ray & Max Pendergast: 12 Hereford, $1120. 14, $920BK Sievers: 15 Charolais-cross, $980BR&LE Pendergast: 11 Shorthorn-Hereford, $925

ENSAYSTEERS P&K Geehman: 25 Hereford, $1420. 21 Shorthorn-Hereford $1240PJ Commins: 12 Hereford, $1350BC&AJ Newcomen: 22 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1400. 19, $1110EO&DI Newcomen: 20 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1330. 20, $1180. 60 Hereford, $1260RA&W Newcomen: 26 Hereford, $1300. 47, $1260CR&JH Lloyd: 24 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1220

HEIFERS JA Commins & Co: 41 Hereford, $1110BC&AJ Newcomen: 15 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1110. 27 Hereford, $1020. 11, $990EO&DI Newcomen: 18 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1070RA&W Newcomen: 22 Hereford, $990

OMEO (DAY 2) STEERS PC&CG Faithfull: 14 Hereford, $1340. 46 Hereford, $1300. 23, $1250WC Flannagan: 20 Hereford, $1260. 22, $1240 JE Flannagan: 11 Hereford, $1260JW&GJ Crisp: 21 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1240 J&P Sandy Partnership: 28 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1220. 23, $1210. 35, $1220. 38, $1100AJ&BJ Ahsam: 31 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1240. 35, $1210. 35, $1090. 22, $1040JW&GJ Crisp: 30 Hereford, $1200BJ&BM Flannagan: 13 Hereford, $1200 MW Batty & M Valentin: 19 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1170McCoy Farms: 20 Hereford, $1150TG Watt: 13 Hereford, $1160AC&NH Smith: 18 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1140

HEIFERSWC Flannagan: 17 Hereford, $1150 NC&CG Faithfull: 18 Hereford, $1100. 15, $1070. 16, $880J&P Sandy Partnership: 35 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1060. 19, $990. 28, $870 JW&GJ Crisp: 22 Shorthorn-Hereford, $1020. AC&NH Smith: 20 Shorthorn-Hereford, $990. 18, $870AJ&BJ Ahsam: 42 Shorthorn-Hereford, $980. 17, $950. MW Batty & M Valentin: 27 Shorthorn-Hereford, $920

HEREFORD steers sold to$1420 at Elders Ensay offeringon the morning of day two,with steer rates quoted asslightly stronger on the prev-ious day’s whiteface results.

Elders yarded 1088 Here-ford and Hereford-Shorthorncalves at Ensay and another1989 at Omeo.

At Ensay, South Gippslandsteer fattener Graeme Os-borne operated on the first runof steers, which sold from$1090 to $1420, with competit-ion from King Island finisherIan Lester.

Phil and Kerry Geehamtopped the sale with 25 Here-ford-Shorthorn steers andElders auctioneer Morgan Da-vies said that was a tremen-dous sale.

“Those cattle were estimat-ed at 400kg and they made$1420,” Mr Davies said.

“So again that was a record-breaking sale and the vendorswere very, very pleased.”

Mr Lester purchased Reeceand Wendy Newcomen’s bestpresented Hereford pen of47 steers at $1260.

Heifers topped at $1110 andthe National Livestock Report-

ing Service said there weresales above 400c/kg for thelightest heifers.

Agency AJF Brien of Coon-amble in NSW operated atboth sales, while commisionbuyers had orders for Albury,Wagga Wagga and centralwest NSW backgrounders, aswell as for south eastern SouthAustralia.

Omeo reached a top price of$1340 for Hereford steers, andwhile the first lines remainedstrong, the lighter calves were

the best performing. Somepens of steers estimated atweighing below 300kg weremaking upwards of 340c/kg.

Peter Faithfull of Omeotopped the draft with August-September drop EuropeanUnion accredited steers sold toGraeme Osborne.

Mr Osborne was once againthe strongest bidder on thepens in the first lane, helpedout by Elders Killara feedlot,Landmark Traralgon and HFRichardson Colac.

SALE BREAKDOWN 2016 AVERAGE 2015 AVERAGE 2016 TOP 2015 TOPOmeo – Angus and black baldy STEERS (2103) $938 $778 $1270 $1100HEIFERS (1834) $824 $606 $1150 $940 Yarded 3937 Average $910

BENAMBRA – Hereford and Hereford crossSTEERS (1002) $942 $750 $1300 $1100HEIFERS (579) $840 $553 $1200 $760 Yarded 1581 Average $936

2016 AVERAGE 2015 AVERAGE 2016 TOP 2015 TOPENSAY – Hereford and roanSTEERS (698) $1119 $876 $1420 $1165HEIFERS (387) $907 $701 $1110 $900 Yarded 1088 Average $1059

OMEO Hereford and roanSTEERS (1314) $1079 $807 $1340 $1160HEIFERS (674) $920 $599 $1150 $890 Yarded 1989 Average $1045

Top Steer Vendor Mountain MaidTop Heifer Vendor JA Commins & Co

Top Steer Vendor P & K GeehmanTop Heifer Vendor BC & AJ Newcomen

Top Steer Vendor KW & JA / BJ & JB PendergastTop Heifer Vendor KW & JA Pendergast

Top Steer Vendor PC & CG FaithfullTop Heifer Vendor WC Flannagan

taste of high times

Pleasing trade: Buyers cast a close eye over the many lots on offer at the mountain calf sales at Ensay.

Steers dearer on second dayDAY TWO Simon and Sonya Lawlor of

Omeo had the best presentedHereford pen, with the Maw-arra and Sugarloaf Creek-blood steers selling at $1260.

The heaviest steers soldfrom $1000 to $1340, whilethere were only a couple ofpens of the lighter steers,under 340kg, which sold forless than $800.

Peter and Robyn Sandy ofSwifts Creek were volume ven-dors, selling 218 Hereford andHereford-Shorthorn steers toa top price of $1210, with thetop 150 steers they offered notselling for below $1000.

The also sold 100 heifers toa top of $1060.

“Your better runs of Here-ford steers made from 340c/kgto 350c/kg, so it’s a pretty ex-citing time for the Hereford in-dustry, and the mountain hasthe best Hereford cattle goingaround,” Mr Davies said.

“Heifers ranged from $1050to $1100 for the really goodheifers.”

In a repeat of the previousday at Omeo, Wagyu breederDavid Blackmore proved theman to beat in the first lane ofheifers, picking up a good runof Hereford-Shorthorns for$990 to $1060.

— JAMIE-LEE OLDFIELD

All smiles: Simon and Sonya Lawlor, of Omeo.

PICTURE GALLERY theweeklytimes.com.au


WKTE01Z01MA - V1

PAKENHAM 1596 cattle on March 21 or 359 fewerThere was a decrease of 360 head from the sale of a fortnight ago and the usual buying group competed in a dearer market. Quality was mixed, with most cattle showing a continuing decline in condition. There was a reasonable selection of grain assisted yearling cattle suited to the trade on offer which sold to strong competition.

WAGGA2800 cattle on March 21 or 750 fewer Numbers fell notably prior to the Easter Holiday break. The bulk of the yearling cattlewere in secondary condition with only limited supplies suitable for the trade. Not all major feedlots operated or attended. There were less numbers of heavy cattle offered, while cow supplies were similar. There were increased numbers of vealers suitable to slaughter, with the best vealers selling up to 15c/kg dearer.

BAIRNSDALE599 cattle on March 17 or 552 fewerThere were about 400 export and 200 young cattle penned representing a decrease of 550 head week-on-week. Most of the usual buying group was present and operating in a generally dearer market. Quality was fairly good overall, with some excellent trade cattle and grown steers on offer. The heavy weight vealers sold from firm to 5c/kg dearer.

LEONGATHA2500 cattle on March 16 or 46 moreNumbers were basically unchanged on the last sale, with 2000 export and 500 young cattle yarded. Quality was mixed, with allthe regular buyers in attendance and operating. Prices for the good quality lots over most grades were up to 5c dearer, but due to the large percentage of secondary lines overall prices trended cheaper.

WARRNAMBOOL 1518 cattle on March 16 or 162 more Most categories of cattle sold to a dearer trend in the increased sized, mixed quality yarding to the regular field of buyers. Not allbuyers operated fully but prices were still up to 10c higher for yearling cattle and firm to dearer for vealers. Grown steers sold 5cto 6c/kg better but the few manufacturing D2 grades were firm when allowing for their reduced quality.

WODONGA337 cattle on March 16 or 708 fewerNumbers more than halved in a very mixed quality yarding. It was a small group of buyers in attendance and not all operatedfully.Due to lack of numbers prices strengthened. Well finished cows sold 3c dearer, making from 222c to 246c/kg. Two and threescore types sold from 185c to 230c/kg. There was quite a tail to the offering and plain cows made from 144c to

165c/kg. Therewas keen interest for store cows and buyers paid from 210c to 216c/kg.

SHEPPARTON1800 cattle on March 15 or 300 fewerThere were 1,100 export and 800 trade cattle offered, with cows making up the majority of export lines. The quality of the yarding was very mixed. Not all exporters were in attendance, however competition still remained strong for the heavy steers and bullocks.

WODONGA1341 cattle on March 15 or 867 fewerPrices for quality stock suitable for the trade produced mixed results, with the Labour Day public holiday creating some urgencyfor well finished yearlings. Demand for well finished vealer was easier and prices generally eased 2c to 6c/kg. Vealers recorded a top price of 326c, while other sales ranged from 290c to 324ckg.

CAMPERDOWN617 cattle on March 15 or 501 fewerThere was a big drop in supply with young cattle and cow numbers nearly halved in size. Quality overall was again mostly poorto plain, with just the few average to good 2 and 3 scores available for the near usual following of buyers. Prices remained firmfor young cattle but cows regained much of their falls of the last two sales and sold mainly 20c dearer.

THE KEY

lwt= liveweight. dwt = carcass weight. Score ABCDE describe muscle cover (A is extremely muscled, E is the lowest grade).Fat scores: estimated fat on carcass.

Fat Score 2 = 3-6mm. Fat score 3 = 7-12mm. Fat score 4 = 13-22mm. Fat score 5 = 23mm+Liveweight to carcass weight conversion:

200-280kg = 110-150kg, 280-330kg = 150-180kg, 330-400kg = 180-220kg, 400-500kg = 220-280kg, 500-600kg = 280-340kg, 600-750kg = 340-420kg

YEARLING - HEIFERSUnder 330kg lwt D2 Under 330kg lwt D3 Under 330kg lwt C2 and C3

Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hdc/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave

Pakenham 255.0-244.6 244.6 - 470.0 699.0 288.0-288.0 288.0 - 533.0 950.0 291.6-291.6 291.6 - 540.0 875.0Wagga -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Bairnsdale -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Leongatha -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Mount Gambier -- - - - - - - - - - 304.0-294.9 294.9 - 546.0 845.0Wodonga -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Warrnambool -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Camperdown -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Shepparton -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

330-400kg lwt C2 and C3 330-400kg lwt D2 and D3 400kg+ lwt C3 Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd

c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave Pakenham 333.6-306.9 306.9 - 561.0 1162.0 303.6-282.1 282.1 - 529.0 1035.0 336.6-323.0 323.0 - 586.0 1432.0Wagga 303.2-296.8 296.8 -1.0 557.0 1101.0 - - - - - 304.2-292.4 292.4 6.0 542.0 1282.0Bairnsdale 300.0-300.0 300.0 - 556.0 1080.0 265.0-261.6 261.6 -13.0 497.0 1007.0 290.0-290.0 290.0 5.0 527.0 1233.0Leongatha - - - - - 250.0-208.6 208.6 -63.0 431.0 779.0 299.6-288.2 288.2 - 535.0 1347.0Mount Gambier 305.0-295.4 295.4 -5.0 547.0 1105.0 - - - - - 299.0-288.2 288.2 - 534.0 1284.0Wodonga 314.0-298.0 298.0 5.0 552.0 1183.0 - - - - - 294.2-289.2 289.2 5.0 536.0 1310.0Warrnambool 296.0-291.6 291.6 27.0 561.0 1088.0 242.0-240.7 240.7 51.0 475.0 898.0 296.0-276.8 276.8 5.0 530.0 1267.0Camperdown 276.0-276.0 276.0 - 541.0 1021.0 - - - - - - - - - -Shepparton 320.0-309.2 309.2 6.0 581.0 1195.0 303.0-282.8 282.8 7.0 538.0 1102.0 315.0-309.3 309.3 5.0 582.0 1337.0Sale dates: Pakenham (21/3), Wagga (21/3), Bairnsdale (17/3), Leongatha (16/3), Wodonga (16/3), Warrnambool (16/3), Camperdown (15/3), Shepparton (15/3).

VEALERS-HEIFERS200-280kg lwt C2 200-280kg lwt C3 280-330kg lwt C2


Pakenham 306.0-285.3 285.3 - 530.0 735.0 312.6-312.6 312.6 - 568.0 875.0 295.0-290.1 290.1 - 537.0 866.0Wagga 307.2-303.8 303.8 15.0 573.0 816.0 - - - - - 313.2-295.3 295.3 7.0 561.0 885.0Bairnsdale -- - - - - - - - - - 310.0-302.3 302.3 3.0 560.0 911.0Leongatha 278.0-278.0 278.0 -5.0 515.0 584.0 - - - - - 324.6-294.0 294.0 - 544.0 930.0Mount Gambier -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Wodonga -- - - - - - - - - - 316.2-308.6 308.6 9.0 580.0 964.0Warrnambool 290.0-290.0 290.0 1.0 558.0 798.0 - - - - - 294.0-294.0 294.0 -2.0 544.0 941.0Camperdown -- - - - - - - - - - 290.0-290.0 290.0 - 558.0 827.0Shepparton 314.0-314.0 314.0 - 595.0 785.0 - - - - - - - - - -

280-330kg lwt C3 330kg+ lwt B2 and B3 330kg+ lwt C3 Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd

c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave Pakenham 333.6-315.0 315.0 - 573.0 988.0 339.6-338.2 338.2 - 593.0 1200.0 336.6-326.8 326.8 - 589.0 1144.0Wagga - - - - - 330.2-326.5 326.5 12.0 587.0 1143.0 330.0-319.8 319.8 16.0 592.0 1101.0Bairnsdale - - - - - 340.6-332.4 332.4 15.0 581.0 1313.0 327.6-324.1 324.1 12.0 580.0 1243.0Leongatha - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Mount Gambier 314.0-314.0 314.0 5.0 571.0 942.0 - - - - - - - - - -Wodonga 314.0-314.0 314.0 - 592.0 1008.0 322.2-318.5 318.5 -2.0 572.0 1154.0 314.2-312.3 312.3 0.0 578.0 1152.0Warrnambool 310.0-296.0 296.0 3.0 546.0 971.0 285.0-285.0 285.0 - 518.0 983.0 310.0-291.7 291.7 -13.0 539.0 1099.0Camperdown 280.0-280.0 280.0 - 528.0 910.0 - - - - - 280.0-280.0 280.0 -21.0 528.0 1134.0Shepparton 320.0-313.0 313.0 - 590.0 992.0 339.2-339.2 339.2 14.0 606.0 1204.0 335.0-313.2 313.2 14.0 584.0 1116.0

Sale dates: Pakenham (21/3), Wagga (21/3), Bairnsdale (17/3), Leongatha (16/3), Wodonga (16/3), Warrnambool (16/3), Camperdown (15/3), Shepparton (15/3).

YEARLING - STEERSUnder 330kg lwt C2 Under 330kg lwt C3 Under 330kg lwt D2 and D3


Pakenham -- - - - - - - - - - 255.0-255.0 255.0 - 481.0 816.0Wagga 305.0-297.5 297.5 - 572.0 780.0 - - - - - - - - - -Bairnsdale -- - - - - - - - - - 280.0-280.0 280.0 - 528.0 846.0Leongatha -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Mount Gambier -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Wodonga -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Warrnambool -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Camperdown 278.0-278.0 278.0 - 556.0 890.0 - - - - - - - - - -Shepparton -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

330-400kg lwt C2 and C3 330-400kg lwt D2 and D3 400kg+ lwt C3 Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd

c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave Pakenham 325.0-306.6 306.6 - 560.0 1123.0 270.0-270.0 270.0 - 500.0 999.0 340.6-307.6 307.6 - 554.0 1446.0Wagga 308.2-307.7 307.7 -2.0 572.0 1095.0 - - - - - 317.0-314.0 314.0 1.0 588.0 1454.0Bairnsdale 305.0-284.1 284.1 -16.0 523.0 1074.0 - - - - - 303.6-296.3 296.3 8.0 537.0 1396.0Leongatha - - - - - - - - - - 290.0-283.3 283.3 -7.0 528.0 1302.0Mount Gambier 315.0-314.0 314.0 25.0 571.0 1185.0 - - - - - 305.0-291.7 291.7 -13.0 530.0 1332.0Wodonga 308.2-305.0 305.0 20.0 565.0 1207.0 - - - - - 324.2-315.0 315.0 5.0 583.0 1482.0Warrnambool - - - - - - - - - - 290.0-290.0 290.0 - 547.0 1291.0Camperdown - - - - - - - - - - 278.0-278.0 278.0 -8.0 535.0 1432.0Shepparton 330.0-318.1 318.1 18.0 587.0 1244.0 - - - - - 315.0-312.0 312.0 6.0 585.0 1404.0


VEALERS - STEERS200-280kg lwt C2 200-280kg lwt C3 280-330kg lwt C2


Pakenham 315.0-293.4 293.4 - 543.0 797.0 320.0-320.0 320.0 - 582.0 848.0 320.0-315.7 315.7 - 581.0 1021.0Wagga -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Bairnsdale -- - - - - - - - - - 306.0-306.0 306.0 36.0 567.0 988.0Leongatha -- - - - - - - - - - 318.6-296.3 296.3 - 550.0 945.0Mount Gambier -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Wodonga -- - - - - - - - - - 320.0-313.0 313.0 2.0 591.0 939.0Warrnambool -- - - - - - - - - - 290.0-290.0 290.0 -6.0 558.0 928.0Camperdown -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Shepparton -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

280-330kg lwt C3 330kg+ lwt B2 and B3 330kg+ lwt C3 Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd

c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave Pakenham 312.6-312.6 312.6 - 568.0 969.0 343.6-338.9 338.9 - 589.0 1233.0 332.6-323.0 323.0 - 586.0 1142.0Wagga - - - - - 334.2-330.9 330.9 13.0 595.0 1289.0 - - - - -Bairnsdale - - - - - 332.0-329.5 329.5 0.0 571.0 1436.0 326.6-324.2 324.2 4.0 581.0 1293.0Leongatha - - - - - 332.6-320.2 320.2 - 583.0 1216.0 - - - - -Mount Gambier - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Wodonga - - - - - 326.0-319.7 319.7 -6.0 572.0 1202.0 315.0-315.0 315.0 - 583.0 1229.0Warrnambool 310.0-307.0 307.0 -1.0 564.0 1001.0 - - - - - 310.0-297.8 297.8 -7.0 549.0 1094.0Camperdown - - - - - - - - - - 310.0-310.0 310.0 6.0 564.0 1380.0Shepparton 310.0-310.0 310.0 7.0 585.0 1023.0 335.0-335.0 335.0 14.0 593.0 1361.0 330.0-329.3 329.3 6.0 608.0 1272.0


BULLOCKS400-500kg lwt C3 400-500kg lwt C4 400-500kg lwt D3


Pakenham -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Wagga -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Bairnsdale -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Leongatha 278.6-273.0 273.0 - 508.0 1331.0 - - - - - - - - - -Mount Gambier 296.0-296.0 296.0 3.0 538.0 1421.0 - - - - - - - - - -Wodonga 288.0-288.0 288.0 -6.0 533.0 1397.0 - - - - - - - - - -Warrnambool -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Camperdown -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Shepparton 296.2-290.5 290.5 3.0 541.0 1437.0 - - - - - - - - - -

500-600kg lwt C3 500-600kg lwt C4 600-750kg lwt C4 Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd

c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave Pakenham 310.0-301.6 301.6 - 544.0 1678.0 - - - - - 303.6-298.0 298.0 - 542.0 1921.0Wagga 301.2-289.3 289.3 6.0 536.0 1565.0 270.0-270.0 270.0 - 509.0 1463.0 300.2-290.9 290.9 19.0 539.0 1874.0Bairnsdale 296.2-294.3 294.3 5.0 535.0 1630.0 - - - - - - - - - -Leongatha 299.0-288.1 288.1 -6.0 530.0 1580.0 - - - - - 296.0-287.7 287.7 -8.0 530.0 1929.0Mount Gambier 298.0-291.8 291.8 -2.0 531.0 1681.0 - - - - - - - - - -Wodonga 303.2-293.2 293.2 2.0 543.0 1634.0 - - - - - 298.0-292.2 292.2 -1.0 541.0 1857.0Warrnambool 288.0-283.9 283.9 4.0 544.0 1656.0 - - - - - 300.0-297.0 297.0 11.0 554.0 1962.0Camperdown - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Shepparton 301.0-286.8 286.8 -1.0 540.0 1676.0 296.0-292.8 292.8 4.0 538.0 1671.0 297.6-297.6 297.6 9.0 541.0 1815.0


HEAVY COWS AND BULLSCOWS 520kg+ lwt C4 COWS 520kg+ lwt D2 COWS 520kg+ lwt D3


Pakenham -- - - - - 227.6-213.9 213.9 -4.0 452.0 1168.0 257.6-240.1 240.1 6.0 485.0 1389.0Wagga -- - - - - 200.-200.0 200.0 15.0 417.0 1110.0 235.0-218.8 218.8 9.0 453.0 1260.0Bairnsdale -- - - - - 225.0-215.5 215.5 2.0 452.0 1208.0 240.6-227.9 227.9 5.0 457.0 1409.0Leongatha 248.0-248.0 248.0 - 496.0 1686.0 233.6-217.7 217.7 -1.0 463.0 1196.0 240.6-228.8 228.8 -5.0 472.0 1259.0Mount Gambier -- - - - - 218.0-213.0 213.0 -8.0 495.0 1172.0 240.0-233.3 233.3 -6.0 496.0 1358.0Wodonga -- - - - - 195.2-195.2 195.2 8.0 444.0 1040.0 230.0-225.6 225.6 8.0 464.0 1274.0Warrnambool 238.0-233.0 233.0 - 476.0 1466.0 218.0-214.9 214.9 10.0 460.0 1206.0 230.0-223.5 223.5 -4.0 466.0 1305.0Camperdown 240.0-238.6 238.6 21.0 484.0 1630.0 218.0-218.0 218.0 21.0 460.0 1182.0 - - - - -Shepparton 236.0-235.2 235.2 9.0 448.0 1378.0 - - - - - 215.0-211.1 211.1 -7.0 423.0 1137.0

COWS 520kg+ lwt D4 BULLS 600kg+ lwt B2 BULLS 600kg+ lwt C2 Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd

c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave Pakenham 244.6-242.9 242.9 8.0 485.0 1468.0 - - - - - 250.0-243.6 243.6 -26.0 447.0 1586.0Wagga 246.2-235.5 235.5 16.0 469.0 1469.0 196.2-196.2 196.2 - 333.0 1226.0 - - - - -Bairnsdale 227.6-222.4 222.4 -6.0 446.0 1492.0 275.0-275.0 275.0 -18.0 474.0 2723.0 265.6-259.5 259.5 -11.0 470.0 2242.0Leongatha 239.6-230.6 230.6 -5.0 475.0 1544.0 302.6-300.6 300.6 8.0 537.0 2525.0 293.6-259.3 259.3 -16.0 478.0 1973.0Mount Gambier 236.0-234.7 234.7 0.0 469.0 1363.0 - - - - - - - - - -Wodonga 246.0-232.8 232.8 3.0 465.0 1353.0 263.2-249.3 249.3 8.0 426.0 2443.0 260.0-251.4 251.4 13.0 425.0 2397.0Warrnambool - - - - - 275.0-265.0 265.0 -2.0 470.0 2681.0 249.0-243.0 243.0 0.0 450.0 1878.0Camperdown 225.0-225.0 225.0 - 450.0 1654.0 268.0-268.0 268.0 16.0 479.0 2814.0 230.0-223.0 223.0 7.0 429.0 1788.0Shepparton 230.0-227.6 227.6 8.0 442.0 1370.0 265.0-265.0 265.0 -11.0 482.0 2544.0 236.0-236.0 236.0 -8.0 445.0 1770.0


LIGHT COWSUnder 400kg lwt D2 Under 400kg lwt E1 400-520kg lwt D1


Pakenham -- - - - - 127.2-127.2 127.2 -43.0 326.0 445.0 203.6-187.1 187.1 2.0 411.0 885.0Wagga -- - - - - - - - - - 185.0-178.0 178.0 28.0 434.0 817.0Bairnsdale -- - - - - - - - - - 183.6-181.9 181.9 -1.0 413.0 901.0Leongatha -- - - - - 170.0-162.5 162.5 -2.0 373.0 620.0 211.6-192.8 192.8 -1.0 426.0 930.0Mount Gambier -- - - - - - - - - - 200.0-200.0 200.0 4.0 500.0 900.0Wodonga -- - - - - - - - - - 165.0-165.0 165.0 41.0 402.0 711.0Warrnambool -- - - - - - - - - - 170.0-170.0 170.0 - 386.0 884.0Camperdown -- - - - - - - - - - 195.0-194.4 194.4 18.0 432.0 943.0Shepparton -- - - - - 112.0-112.0 112.0 - 295.0 409.0 - - - - -

400-520kg lwt D2 400-520kg lwt D3 400-520kg lwt E1 Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd Live weight dwt $/hd

c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave c/kg ave chg ave ave Pakenham 224.2-202.2 202.2 5.0 431.0 1000.0 246.6-238.2 238.2 15.0 486.0 1189.0 179.6-161.0 161.0 -21.0 376.0 713.0Wagga 208.2-202.7 202.7 9.0 461.0 1000.0 228.2-217.0 217.0 7.0 451.0 1055.0 - - - - -Bairnsdale 212.6-205.3 205.3 2.0 432.0 978.0 - - - - - - - - - -Leongatha 218.0-209.7 209.7 0.0 450.0 1059.0 232.0-222.6 222.6 -3.0 463.0 1125.0 175.6-158.5 158.5 -27.0 389.0 673.0Mount Gambier 220.0-208.2 208.2 - 484.0 1057.0 225.0-225.0 225.0 - 479.0 1170.0 - - - - -Wodonga 216.0-202.8 202.8 16.0 457.0 928.0 233.2-217.2 217.2 3.0 464.0 1042.0 - - - - -Warrnambool - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Camperdown - - - - - - - - - - 176.0-161.9 161.9 18.0 392.0 786.0Shepparton - - - - - 215.0-210.6 210.6 -5.0 429.0 1056.0 176.0-174.6 174.6 25.0 399.0 791.0


CATTLE MARKETSFigures supplied by MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service Proudly supported by

THEWEEKLYTIMES.COM.AU WEDNESDAY MARCH 23 2016 MARKETS BUSINESS 95

V1 - WKTE01Z01MA

OVER THE HOOKSVictorian sheep and lamb prices Week to March 25

HSCW FS FD c/kg cwt Ave TrendHeavy Trade Lambs 18-20kg 2-4 6-20 510-530 525 -3Ex Heavy Trade Lambs 20-22kg 2-4 6-20 510-530 525 -3Exp Lambs 26+ 2-4 6-20 490-490 490 NCLight Sheep 14-18kg 2-4 6-20 250-280 263 10Medium Sheep 18-24kg 2-4 6-20 280-300 288 8 24+kg 2-4 6-20 220-290 250 6

Comment: Light and trade weight lamb indicators eased slightly week-on-week, while heavy weight categories were firm. Mutton indicators were dearer across all categories.

HSCW = Hot standard carcass weight FS = Fat score FD = Fat depth cwt = carcass weight Source: NLRS

SLAUGHTERINGSWeek to March 18

LAMBS SHEEP CATTLE

No. Weekly change % No Weekly

change %o No Weekly change %

Victoria 154,855 -14 34,113 -24 23,155 -18NSW 99,815 -2 38,479 -21 35,186 3

Source: AWEX

2/4 score 18-22kg1st and 2nd cross

SCORE 2/3 18-24kg

LAMB IndicatorsLambsLambs2/3 score, 12-18kg

1st and 2nd cross and MerinoLambs Lambs Sheep2/3 score, 16-22kg

Merinos purchased for slaughter1/2 score, 0-18kg

purchased byrestockers or feeders

D3 400-520kgC3 400-500kg

C4 600-750kgC3 330-400kg

CowsMedium Steers Japan OxDomestic cattleVealers C3 280-330kg

BEEF Indicators Mar 2014 - Mar 2015Mar 2015 - Mar 2016

Mar 2014 - Mar 2015Mar 2015 - Mar 2016

100

190

280

370

460

JMAMFJDNOSAJ360

440

520

600

680

JMAMFJDNOSAJ240

340

440

540

640

JMAMFJDNOSAJ320

390

460

530

600

JMAMFJDNOSAJ

80

130

180

230

280

JMA MFJDNOSAJ140

195

250

305

360

JMAMFJDNOSAJ 120

170

220

270

320

JMAMFJDNOSAJ 140

195

250

305

360

JMAMFJDNOSAJ

280

370

460

550

640

JMAMFJDNOSAJ

140

195

250

305

360

JMAMFJDNOSAJ

Week ending March 20 (c/kg cwt) Brought to you by

Week ending March 20 (c/kg live weight)

Extinosad Pour-On®

308539527 491510

218292310 281308

THE market posted a slightrally heading into the Easterbreak this week, with prices gen-erally dearer in early trading.

The highlight on Mondaywas improved demand and pri-ces for the best pens of domesticslaughter calves, with B-musclevealer steers selling to 343c/kgliveweight at Pakenham.

There was also a lift record-ed at Wagga Wagga in south-ern NSW on the same day,with the National LivestockReporting Service quotingsome sales of vealers to meatbuyers as up to 15c/kg dearer.

It reported the best calves atup to 334ckg and averaging322c/kg liveweight.

The market did fluctuate onplainer young cattle needingfurther finishing with not allfeedlot buyers operating.

Overall the Eastern YoungCattle Indicator did show aslight correction, easing by 1cto an average of 586c/kg car-cass weight on Monday night.

A breakdown of the EYCIfigures by saleyard showsnorthern markets still trendingahead of southern saleyards,due in part to better seasonalconditions across areas ofNSW and Queensland.

On Monday, the price aver-age for young vealers and

yearlings that went into theEYCI calculation at WaggaWagga was 589c/kg carcassweight, followed by Tamworthat 588c/kg.

In Victoria, the averageprice at Pakenham was 552c/kg and Ballarat 554c/kg car-cass weight.

The biggest runs of yearlingcattle were offered at WaggaWagga with 2800.

The NLRS said the main runof heavy feeder steers whichsold to feedlots (weighing400kg plus) made 284c to 329c/kg and averaged 316c/kg to be

8c higher than a week ago.The main pens of yearling

heifers sold to feedlots (330-400kg) made 270c to 308c/kgand were listed as 2c/kg dearer.

The main lines of heavybeef cows at Wagga Waggasold from 222c to 246c/kg live-weight to average 235c/kg or$1469 a head. The NLRS quot-ed this as up to 16c/kg or nearly$100 better than a week ago.

At Pakenham 259 grownsteers sold hit a top of 310c/kgliveweight with most bullocksales from 285c to 300c/kg.

— JENNY KELLY

CAMPERDOWNA yarding of 873 was up by more than 200 compared with last week’s small market. The quality was mainly poor to plain for young cattle and cows, with a few 3 score and 2 score vealers. Demand was steady, but price trends varied. Good quality young cattle were 5c/kg to 15c/kg higher; poor to plain averaged unchanged to easier. Cows sold 10c/kg to 15c/kg cheaper, and even up to 20c/kg lower in places. C2 and C3 vealers were 260c/kg to 285c/kg, with a top sale at 315c/kg and restockers paid to 280c/kg. C2 and C3 yearlings were scarce, selling at 289c/kg, 302c/kg and 308c/kg, and were 10c/kg to 20c/kg higher. D1 and D2 yearlings sold at 175c/kg to 280c/kg, restockers to 294c/kg. Grown heifers, C3 and C4, 253c/kg to 256c/kg, with a sale of 17 C3s at 280c/kg.

E1 cows mostly 136c/kg to166, better to 178c/kg and poor from 114c/kg.

D1 cows 164c/kg to 193c/kg, best to 205c/kg, while D2 cows were mostly 184c/kg to 216c/kg, best to 216c/kg, plainer from 168c/kg.

WODONGA Numbers dropped by 450 to 884 because of the Easter break and not all export or feedlots buyers attended. Prices nevertheless surged over all categories. Quality trade stock produced strong results with the pending break creating urgency for well finished yearlings. Demand for finished vealers lifted 20c/kg. Vealers recorded a top of 351c/kg, and other sales ranged from 300c/kg to 346c/kg. Most yearling steers sold to the trade, with increased numbers supplementary fed.Trade steers ignited the bidding fetching 306c/kg to 337c/kg. Medium-weight trade heifers topped at 340c/kg.

Lamb has a pre-Easter jumpPRE-EASTER lamb priceshave surged as processors pre-pare for a lack of sales duringthe holiday period.

Bendigo’s offering on Mon-day of 21,500 lambs was de-scribed as a three-in-onemarket as two public holidayswithin three weeks narrowedoptions for producers to sell.

It did nothing to harm pri-ces, which the National Live-stock Reporting Servicequoted were up to $5 dearer.

Some observers thoughtisolated sales could have beenup $12 in a dearer marketacross the board.

The best trade lambs aver-

aged 530c/kg, but ranged from510-580c/kg. Heavy lambs av-eraged about 490c/kg, with amarket top of $174.

Light trade lambs returnedabout 540c/kg.

The lack of sales due toEaster has seen the marketshow some spark despite thestrength of the $A.

All lamb indicators weredearer on Monday and are wellahead of where they were thistime last year.

This is a promising sign forproducers, who are acting by

paying an average of 533c/kgcarcass weight for restockerlambs, and up to 586c/kg atBendigo on Monday for lambsto put back in the paddock.

The eastern states tradelamb indicator closed onMonday at 524c/kg, while theheavy lamb indicator closed at516c/kg. These are 24c/kg and7c/kg higher than this time lastyear, and have risen 18c and 11cin the past week alone.

Mutton prices have notshown the rises of lamb, butlifted in the past week.

The eastern states muttonindicator rose 9c/kg on Mon-day to close at 294c/kg.

The 5800 sheep at Bendigosold to similar rates, with mut-ton averaging about 315c/kg.

— FIONA MYERS

PRIME SHEEP

OVER THE HOOKSVictorian cattle prices Week to March 25

dwt kg D MS FS c/kg cwt ChYEARLINGS Steers 220-240 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 525 NC 240-260 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 528 NC 260-280 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 531 NC 280-300 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 532 NC 300-320 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 531 NCHeifers 220-240 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 503 NC 240-260 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 507 NC 260-280 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 510 NC 280-300 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 512 NC 300-320 0-2 (YG) A-C 5-22 515 NCGROWN STEERS 240-260 0-4 (YP) A-C 5-22 509 NC 0-6 (PR) A-C 5-22 503 NC 0-8 (S) A-C 5-22 484 NC 260-280 0-4 (YP) A-C 5-22 519 NC 0-6 (PR) A-C 5-22 514 NC 0-8 (S) A-C 5-22 496 NC 280-300 0-4 (YP) A-C 5-22 523 NC 0-6 (PR) A-C 5-22 518 NC 0-8 (S) A-C 5-22 499 NC 300-400 0-4 (YP) A-C 5-22 525 NC 0-6 (PR) A-C 5-22 520 NC 0-8 (S) A-C 5-22 501 NCCOWS 180-200 0-8 (C) A-D 13-22 387 NC 0-8 (C) A-D 3-12 392 NC 0-8 (C) A-E 0-32 383 NC 200-220 0-8 (C) A-D 13-22 408 NC 0-8 (C) A-D 3-12 413 NC 0-8 (C) A-E 0-32 401 NC 220-240 0-8 (C) A-D 13-22 415 NC 0-8 (C) A-D 3-12 420 NC 0-8 (C) A-E 0-32 408 NC 240-260 0-8 (C) A-D 13-22 422 NC 0-8 (C) A-D 3-12 433 NC 0-8 (C) A-E 0-32 415 NC 260-280 0-8 (C) A-D 13-22 436 NC 0-8 (C) A-D 3-12 443 NC 0-8 (C) A-E 0-32 425 NC 280-300 0-8 (C) A-D 13-22 439 NC 0-8 (C) A-D 3-12 444 NC 0-8 (C) A-E 0-32 428 NC 300-400 0-8 (C) A-D 13-22 447 NC 0-8 (C) A-D 3-12 450 NC 0-8 (C) A-E 0-32 436 NCBULLS 260-280 0-8 (B) A-E 0-32 399 1 280-300 0-8 (B) A-E 0-32 401 1 300-320 0-8 (B) A-E 0-32 405 1 320-440 0-8 (B) A-E 0-32 405 1

Comment: Following similar conditions the week prior, Victorian over-the-hook indicators held firm across all major catego-ries, with most contributors keeping quotes unchanged.

dwt = dressed weight D = Dentition MS = Muscle score TS = Fat score cwt = carcass weight Source: NLRS

ON THE LOTWhat the feedlots paid Week to March 18

(c/kg liveweight)D Range Ave Ch

PADDOCK SALES DOMESTICSteers 280-350kg 0 305-335 321 -3Heifer 280-350kg 0 285-320 306 -2PADDOCK SALES EXPORT: SHORT FED STEERS 380-500KG (100-200*)Angus 0-2 310-335 329 -2Cross Bred 0-2 295-335 315 -2ShorthornOther BreedsBos IndicusEUMEDIUM FED STEERS: 360-460KG (120-220*) Angus 0-2 320-335 328 1HerefordLONG FED STEERS: 300-420KG (200+*)Angus 0-2 310-350 333 NC

MS FS Range Ave ChSALE YARD DOMESTICYearling Steers 0-330kg330-400kg C 2 270-335 314 -3

C 3 290-341 324 2400+kg C 2 270-328 310 -3

C 3 280-341 316 -3Yearling Heifers 0-330kg330-400kg C 2 260-320 299 NC

C 3 270-320 303 1Grown Steers 400-500kg C 3 270-324 301 -6

Comment: The eastern states feeder indicators declined across most categories week-on-week, with some lines firmer inplaces. Domestic paddock steers and heifers eased 3c and 2c respectively, while grown steers through the saleyards a fur-ther 6c/kg lwt.

An Easter uprisingPRIME CATTLE CATTLE LATEST

Highlight: Demand up for slaughter calves. Picture: DANNIKA BONSER


WKTE01Z01MA - V1

THE KEY

Fat scores = Estimated fact cover on carcass.Fat Score 2 = 6-10mm Fat Score 3 = 11-15mmFat Score 4 = 16-20mm Fat Score 5 = 21mm+

RS = restockers, lambs bought by farmers.1st X = lambs bred from Merino ewesdwt = carcass weight. Most lambs kill out at 46-48% of their live weight.

Sell through Elders

HEAVY EXPORT LAMBS22-24kg dwt fat score 3 & 4 22-24kg dwt fat score 3 & 4 1st X 24-26kg dwt fat score 4 & 5

$/head Ave $/hd

c/kg dwt (chng) Skins $ $/head Ave

$/hd c/kg dwt

(chng) Skins $ $/head Ave $/hd

c/kg dwt (chng) Skins $

Bendigo 122.0-138.0 131.5 537.0 (-) 0.0-8.0 128.0-130.0 128.8 521.0 (-) 6.0-8.0 137.2-150.0 142.3 538.0 (-) 4.0-10.0Griffith 116.0-139.0 132.2 509.0 (-4) 6.0-13.0 - - - - 128.0-146.0 138.3 493.0 (-27) 8.0-13.0Wagga 120.0-181.5 135.9 532.0 (+41) 2.0-12.0 124.6-130.0 125.2 504.0 (-) 4.0-5.0 140.0-150.0 144.0 526.0 (+9) 10.0-10.0Hamilton 122.0-136.0 130.2 533.0 (+9) 2.0-10.0 124.0-124.0 124.0 500.0 (-17) 9.0-9.0 138.0-145.0 141.3 523.0 (+7) 7.0-12.0Naracoorte 120.0-132.0 126.0 520.0 (+99) 2.0-6.0 - - - - - - - -Ballarat 121.0-141.0 130.6 534.0 (+5) 0.0-10.0 120.0-126.0 124.6 530.0 (+34) 2.0-5.0 133.0-148.0 140.9 535.0 (+2) 2.0-10.0Shepparton - - - - - - - - - - - -

24-26kg dwt fat score 4 1st X 26kg+ dwt fat score 4 26kg+ dwt fat score 5

$/head Ave $/hd


$/hd c/kg dwt


c/kg dwt (chng)

c/kg dwt (chng)

Bendigo 145.0-145.0 145.0 550.0 (-) 2.0-2.0 145.0-174.0 156.9 501.0 (-) 8.0-12.0 - - - -Griffith - - - - 140.0-184.0 157.7 488.0 (-14) 12.0-14.0 - - - -Wagga - - - - 139.0-190.0 162.8 505.0 (+6) 0.0-15.0 - - - -Hamilton - - - - 148.0-167.0 155.4 509.0 (-5) 8.0-12.0 - - - -Naracoorte - - - - - - - - - - - -Ballarat - - - - 135.0-180.0 163.9 498.0 (-3) 2.0-12.0 - - - -Shepparton - - - - - - - - - - - -Sale dates: Bendigo (21/3), Griffith (18/3), Hamilton (17/3), Wagga Wagga (17/3), Hamilton (16/3), Ballarat (15/3)

TRADE LAMBS18-20kg dwt fat score 3 18-20kg dwt fat score 4 18-20kg dwt fat score 3 & 4 1st X

$/head Ave $/hd


$/hd c/kg dwt



Bendigo 102.0-119.2 112.2 552.0 (-) 0.0-7.0 - - - - 98.0-115.0 110.0 529.0 (-) 0.0-8.0Griffith 100.0-107.0 102.4 480.0 (-28) 8.0-10.0 110.0-110.0 110.0 490.0 (-) 12.0-12.0 - - - -Wagga 98.0-119.2 110.6 516.0 (+31) 0.0-10.0 - - - - 98.0-119.6 110.7 524.0 (+9) 0.0-10.0Hamilton 103.0-115.0 109.9 541.0 (+17) 2.0-7.0 - - - - - - - -Naracoorte 94.0-105.0 102.1 493.0 (-61) 6.0-6.0 - - - - - - - -Ballarat 97.0-118.0 110.1 549.0 (+15) 0.0-6.0 - - - - 105.0-110.0 108.7 549.0 (-6) 2.0-5.0

- - - - - - - - - - - -20-22kg dwt fat score 3 20-22kg dwt fat score 4 20-22kg dwt fat score 3 & 4 1st X

$/head Ave $/hd


$/hd c/kg dwt


c/kg dwt (chng)

c/kg dwt (chng)

Bendigo 115.0-125.6 121.1 537.0 (-) 1.0-8.0 - - - - 116.0-126.0 121.3 517.0 (-) 2.0-8.0Griffith 96.0-129.0 116.5 495.0 (+5) 4.0-12.0 - - - - - - - -Wagga 114.0-137.0 122.7 528.0 (+14) 0.0-15.0 - - - - 116.0-126.0 119.8 515.0 (+21) 10.0-10.0Hamilton 109.0-128.0 120.6 536.0 (+11) 2.0-8.0 - - - - 115.0-115.0 115.0 533.0 (+15) 3.0-3.0Naracoorte 110.0-115.0 113.6 489.0 (-49) 6.0-6.0 - - - - - - - -Ballarat 108.5-125.5 119.9 535.0 (+7) 0.0-8.0 116.0-128.0 122.3 559.0 (+7) 0.0-2.0 - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - -Sale dates: Bendigo (21/3), Griffith (18/3), Hamilton (17/3), Wagga Wagga (17/3), Hamilton (16/3), Ballarat (15/3)

LIGHT EXPORTS/STORE LAMBS12-16kg dwt fat score 2 & 3 12-16kg dwt fat score 2 & 3 RS 16-18kg dwt fat score 2

$/head Ave $/hd


$/hd c/kg dwt



Bendigo 74.2-95.6 90.7 545.0 (-) 2.0-5.0 48.0-98.6 90.4 559.0 (-) 0.0-5.0 91.0-104.0 97.4 533.0 (-) 1.0-6.0Griffith 66.0-96.0 86.0 516.0 (++20) 4.0-12.0 103.5-114.5 109.8 660.0 (-) 6.0-8.0 - - - -Wagga 92.0-101.2 94.9 581.0 (-18) 2.0-6.0 68.2-107.6 95.0 594.0 (++44) 0.0-5.0 98.0-103.0 100.7 551.0 (++57) 0.0-10.0Hamilton 78.0-90.0 85.6 537.0 (++27) 3.0-5.0 64.0-92.0 84.1 522.0 (-27) 2.0-4.0 94.0-103.0 98.8 530.0 (++14) 2.0-8.0Naracoorte 76.0-92.0 81.7 480.0 (-96) 6.0-8.0 67.0-77.0 73.8 525.0 (-61) 2.0-5.0 90.0-90.0 90.0 467.0 (-) 6.0-6.0Ballarat 70.0-93.5 84.3 530.0 (++56) 0.0-2.0 52.0-96.0 80.6 529.0 (++7) 0.0-4.0 86.0-96.0 91.8 526.0 (++4) 0.0-4.0

- - - - - - - - - - - -16-18kg dwt fat score 3 16-18kg dwt fat score 2 & 3 RS 16-18kg dwt score 2 & 3 1st X

$/head Ave $/hd


$/hd c/kg dwt


c/kg dwt (chng)

c/kg dwt (chng)

Bendigo 96.0-106.0 101.1 549.0 (-) 0.0-5.0 92.0-106.0 98.9 555.0 (-) 0.0-6.0 84.0-104.0 94.2 530.0 (-) 2.0-5.0Griffith 94.0-102.0 99.2 501.0 (-31) 8.0-10.0 - - - - - - - -Wagga 102.0-107.0 103.4 535.0 (++24) 4.0-10.0 105.0-105.0 105.0 556.0 (-19) 5.0-5.0 96.0-96.0 96.0 506.0 (-) 5.0-5.0Hamilton 103.0-103.0 103.0 561.0 (++43) 2.0-2.0 92.0-101.0 97.8 544.0 (++1) 2.0-5.0 98.0-98.0 98.0 529.0 (++44) 8.0-8.0Naracoorte 96.0-96.0 96.0 553.0 (++0) 2.0-2.0 - - - - - - - -Ballarat 93.0-104.0 97.5 534.0 (++4) 0.0-5.0 85.0-105.6 98.6 558.0 (++32) 0.0-4.0 56.0-100.0 95.3 529.0 (++34) 0.0-2.0


EWES0-18kg dwt fat score 1 0-18kg dwt fat score 2 18-24kg dwt fat score 2

$/head Ave $/hd


$/hd c/kg dwt



Bendigo 6.0-46.0 31.4 209.0 (-) 0.0-5.0 42.0-69.6 55.9 292.0 (-) 2.0-12.0 50.0-85.0 70.4 304.0 (-) 0.0-20.0Griffith - - - - 38.0-66.6 61.6 270.0 (-43) 1.0-18.0 58.0-79.0 66.8 288.0 (-) 1.0-16.0Wagga 25.0-58.0 37.8 229.0 (-9) 0.0-10.0 45.0-71.0 58.8 286.0 (+27) 0.0-20.0 57.0-85.0 70.4 299.0 (+43) 0.0-25.0Hamilton 12.0-58.0 42.4 249.0 (+0) 0.0-12.0 40.0-57.0 54.5 292.0 (+1) 2.0-12.0 57.0-79.0 67.9 313.0 (+12) 2.0-15.0Naracoorte - - - - 66.0-66.0 66.0 356.0 (+79) 2.0-2.0 52.0-78.0 73.3 290.0 (-6) 5.0-6.0Ballarat 10.0-38.0 29.7 212.0 (-32) 0.0-10.0 32.0-65.0 47.7 271.0 (-13) 0.0-12.0 48.0-85.0 62.0 280.0 (-5) 0.0-20.0

- - - - - - - - - - - -18-24kg dwt fat score 3 18-24kg dwt fat score 4 24kg+ dwt fat score 4 & 5

$/head Ave $/hd


$/hd c/kg dwt


c/kg dwt (chng)

c/kg dwt (chng)

Bendigo 48.0-97.2 79.3 309.0 (-) 0.0-25.0 95.0-95.0 95.0 313.0 (-) 20.-20.0 75.0-115.0 95.3 287.0 (-) 0.0-20.0Griffith 79.0-79.0 79.0 263.0 (-72) 16.0-16.0 - - - - 89.0-112.0 102.7 311.0 (-) 1.0-20.0Wagga 70.0-94.0 84.5 312.0 (+24) 0.0-15.0 - - - - 77.0-106.0 93.4 293.0 (-1) 0.0-8.0Hamilton 64.0-90.0 73.3 318.0 (+6) 2.0-12.0 - - - - 80.0-88.0 81.8 285.0 (+13) 2.0-2.0Naracoorte 77.0-81.0 79.5 321.0 (+28) 2.0-5.0 - - - - 88.0-100.0 96.0 292.0 (-11) 6.0-8.0Ballarat 40.0-78.5 67.3 285.0 (-16) 0.0-16.0 76.0-78.0 77.6 321.0 (+30) 2.0-8.0 75.0-98.0 86.7 263.0 (+0) 0.0-5.0


WETHERS0-18kg dwt fat score 1 0-18kg dwt fat score 2 18-24kg dwt fat score 2

$/head Ave $/hd


$/hd c/kg dwt



Bendigo 34.2-47.0 44.1 284.0 (-) 1.0-5.0 47.0-66.6 62.8 327.0 (-) 0.0-10.0 65.0-89.0 81.3 355.0 (-) 4.0-20.0Griffith - - - - - - - - - - - -Wagga 47.0-47.0 47.0 281.0 (-) 2.0-2.0 41.2-41.2 41.2 221.0 (-2) 8.0-8.0 68.0-68.0 68.0 320.0 (+22) 4.0-4.0Hamilton 56.0-62.0 61.1 276.0 (+36) 8.0-12.0 60.0-60.0 60.0 306.0 (-17) 5.0-5.0 64.0-92.0 77.0 321.0 (+0) 2.0-18.0Naracoorte - - - - - - - - - - - -Ballarat 25.0-45.0 41.5 273.0 (+35) 0.0-2.0 51.0-68.0 55.8 292.0 (-9) 2.0-16.0 58.0-75.0 64.4 316.0 (+34) 0.0-12.0

- - - - - - - - - - - -18-24kg dwt fat score 3 24kg+ dwt fat score 3 24kg+ dwt fat score 4

$/head Ave $/hd


$/hd c/kg dwt


c/kg dwt (chng)

c/kg dwt (chng)

Bendigo 66.6-75.6 68.1 320.0 (-) 0.0-8.0 96.0-96.0 96.0 316.0 (-) 17.0-17.0 82.0-100.0 89.0 257.0 (-) 0.0-5.0Griffith - - - - - - - - 106.0-106.0 106.0 297.0 (-) 2.0-2.0Wagga 88.2-94.0 91.5 343.0 (+64) 8.0-12.0 - - - - 97.0-120.0 100.1 299.0 (-) 20.-20.0Hamilton 84.0-90.0 85.4 321.0 (-2) 10.0-14.0 86.0-98.0 97.0 319.0 (+3) 5.0-18.0 73.0-98.0 93.3 287.0 (+6) 5.0-5.0Naracoorte - - - - - - - - 105.0-105.0 105.0 283.0 (-) 6.0-6.0Ballarat 60.0-88.0 75.6 310.0 (+13) 0.0-18.0 65.0-100.0 83.4 289.0 (-2) 1.0-25.0 79.0-98.0 85.4 278.0 (+7) 0.0-5.0


SHEEP MARKETSFigures supplied by MLA's National Livestock Reporting Service

BENDIGO27,196 sheep and lambs on March 21 or 11149 moreLamb numbers nearly doubled to 21,431 and sheep numbers were similar at 5765. The usual buying group were in attendance and operated keenly amidthe interrupted Monday sale days due to the public holidays. Quality was average to good, with lambs showing finish the most sought after. The extra heavy lambs reached a top of $174, while the better covered domestic lambs sold from $122 to $138 to average around 530c/kg cwt, to be from $2 to $5 up on the sale of two weeks ago. Restockers and feeders were active with restocker lambs selling from $82 to $106, the lighter lots selling from $34 to $78, and a pen of crossbred ewe lambs selling for $127. They also paid from $59.60 to $82 for Merino wethers and from $70 to $115 for crossbred ewes. The highlight of the sale was a pen of 12 heavy lambs donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital appeal that sold for $350, with the major meat companies taking some each. Light weight 2 score lambs sold from $74 to $92.50. Light trade 2 and 3 score lambs sold from $91 to $119.20 and averaged about 540c/kg cwt. Trade weight 3 and 4 score lambs sold from $115 to $125.60, with the heavier drafts selling from $122 to $138, and they ranged from 510c to 580c to mainly sell around 530c to 535c/kg. Heavy 3 and 4 score lambs sold from $136 to $160, with the extra heavy export lambs selling from $165 to $174 at 490c/kg cwt. Merino lambs sold from $111 to $127, with the lighter drafts mostly selling from $84 to $106. The similar sized sheep offering included all weights and grades, but with not all the usual buyers operating. Sheep generally sold similar to the sale of two weeks ago, with Merino sheep in a big skin improving a few dollars. Heavy Merino ewes sold to $102. Light weight 1 and 2 score sheep sold from $30 to $69.60. Medium weight 2 and 3 score sheep sold from $48 to $97.20 and ranged from 220c to 340c with Merino mutton averaging around 315c/kg. Heavy 3 to 5 score sheep sold from $75 to $107, while heavy Merino wethers sold from $92 to $96 and the medium weights sold from $65 to $89. Heavy Merino ewes sold from $83.50 to $102.

GRIFFITH12,267 sheep and lambs on March 18 or 3767 moreLamb numbers lifted with no sale next Friday. Heavy and extra heavy lambs were best supplied and the quality was very good with most coming off feeders. Trade lambs were in short supply as were the store lambs. There were several good pens of Merino lambs with plenty of weight. Not all the usual buyers operated in a cheaper heavy lamb market. Restocking lambs ranged from $74 to $114.50. Trade lambs were limited and sold to unchanged prices, with the medium and heavy trade weights ranging from $100 to $129 mainly selling from 480c to 510c/kg. Heavy and extra heavy lambs were $3 to $5 easier, with heavy weights selling from $122 to $146 and extra heavy lambs reached $184. Prices mostly ranged from 480c to 490c/kg cwt. Merino trade lambs started at $114 and heavy lambs sold to $141. Mutton numbers remained similar and the quality mixed. Prices were cheaper with a few buyers not operating. Medium weights ranged from $58 to $79 and heavy crossbred ewes returned $100 to $111. Most ranged from 260c to 280c/kg cwt.

HAMILTON4810 sheep on March 17 or 577 moreAgents yarded an increased number of 4810 sheep, with most of the processor buyers present and a yarding of fair to average quality. An increase number of lighter sheep were penned and less weight was seen in the heavier classes. Prices showed to be mostly firm to slightly dearer, ranging from $1 to $4 for the medium and heavy weight sheep. Light mutton also lifted $2 to $6, however mostly for lighter Merino wethers of 1 and 2 score. The sale seemed to gain more momentum in the middle and latter stages, with more of a need from processors to fill orders. Restocker activity was limited, with competition seen particularly for a pen of light crossbred ewes going for $40. The very light sheep sold from $12 to $42 and the light weight (1 and 2 scores) made $36 to $62. The medium trade weight (2 and 3 scores) sold from $58 to $78, and to $90/head for woolly ewes, ranging between 261c and 335c, to average an estimated 315c/kg cwt. Heavy (3 and 4 score) mutton sold from $75 to $98, averaging close to 285c/kg cwt. Medium Merino wethers sold between $64 and $84, with woolly wethers selling from $90 to $98/head, averaging 320c/kg cwt. Hoggets sold from $75 to $98, with most rams of all breeds making between $40 to $80/head. This will be the last separate sale before the lamb and sheep sale will combine once again starting on Wednesday March 30.

WAGGA38,220 sheep and lambs on March 17 or 7220 moreWith this the last lamb sale before the Easter holiday break, numbers increased significantly. The quality of the offering was mixed, owing to the dry seasonal conditions. Grain-fed and lambs finished on Lucerne attracted the best competition, however demand was solid for the plainer types. Not all buyers attended or operated fully due to good supplies of over the hook lambs. Well finished trade lambs commanded premium prices, while dryer types were also keenly sought. Generally trade lambs were $4 to $9 dearer, mostly ranging from 516c to 528c/kg cwt. Lighter weight lambs suitable to restock or feed sold to stronger competition. Merino trade lambs were keenly sought, with a single pen igniting the bidding to sell at $139.60. Recently shorn well-bred lambs with frame sold from $107 to $118. Plainer light weight lambs suitable to slaughter lifted $5 to $7 , with the better cover types selling from $92 to $107. Heavy lambs sold $4 higher to average 526c/kg cwt. Extra heavy lambs sold to fluctuating prices trends late in the sale, which contributed to a vast price variation. Sales ranged from $139 to $190 to mostly sell from 484c to 518c/kg cwt. It was a very mixed quality offering of mutton, with all weights and grades represented. Demand was stronger over all categories. Medium and heavy mutton sold $4 to $14 higher with prices strengthening as the market progressed. Heavy ewes made from $81 to $135 to mainly range from 300c to 343c/kg. Trade sheep sold to spirited bidding, selling from $57 to $92. Plain light weight ewes were keenly sought making from $38 to $71.

HAMILTON7746 lambs on March 16 or 524 moreThere was a slight lift in lamb supply and close to 60 per cent of the yarding consisted of very good to excellent quality, while the balance of the offering was average to plain. All weights and grades were presented to the usual gallery of buyers with the addition of an extra export operator that attended and competed in an improved lamb market, especially for heavier lambs. Prices generally across the board fluctuated but remained stronger as medium trade lamb demand was influenced by quality and they sold $2 to $3 dearer, while the heavy lambs also improved $2 to $4 and up to $8 in some isolated sales. Agents from SA made the journey and, with a few locals and processors, competed for the lighter lambs as they sold $4 to $6/head dearer overall. Restocker light lambs sold from $34 to $70 and better quality pens of 2 and 3 scores made from $70 to $101. Light weight 2 score lambs sold from $78 to $98 and light trade 2 and 3 score lambs sold from $92 to $103. Medium trade weight 3 score lambs made $103 to $128, with better drafts of 3 and 4 scores selling from $122 to $138 as they varied in costs from 495c to 560c to average an estimated 535c/kg cwt. Extra heavy lambs made from $148 to a market top of $167 to average around 510c/kg cwt. There is no lamb sale next week due to the Easter break.

BALLARAT27,620 sheep and lambs on March 15 or 2157 moreLamb supply increased to 21,939 head in another average to good quality yarding with all weights and grades on offer. The usual buying group attended and operated in a generally firm lamb market, with the extra heavy lambs reaching $180. The better trade weight lambs sold to $141 to be a few dollars dearer, with most trade lambs selling on quality, $2 to $3 either side of firm. Heavy lambs sold close to firm, with seven pens selling above $170. Restockers, feeders and processors competed for the lighter lambs and they mostly sold from unchanged to $2 up on last week, with restocker lambs selling from $85 to $115, and the lighter drafts selling from $50 to $80. Light weight 2 score lambs sold from $70 to $94. Light trade (2 and 3 score) lambs sold from $86 to $118, and averaged about 530c/kg cwt. Trade weight (3 and 4 score) lambs sold from $108 to $128, with the heavier drafts selling from $121 to $141, ranging from 500c to 570c, to average about 535c/kg cwt. Heavy 3 and 4 score lambs sold from $133 to $161, with the extra heavy lambs selling from $163 to $180, averaging about 490c/kg cwt. Heavy hoggets sold from $73 to $121. The similar sized sheep offering of 5680 included all weights and grades. Lighter sheep sold a few dollars down on last week, with most other sheep selling close to firm. Medium weight Merino wethers sold $2 to $3 better, with wool length playing a part. Light weight (1 and 2 score) sheep sold from $36 to $74. Medium weight (2 and 3 score) sheep sold from $40 to $85, and ranged from 200c to 340c, with the Merino mutton averaging 310c/kg cwt. Heavy 3 to 5 score sheep sold from $70 to $111, with heavy rams to $93.

92 business markets wednesday march 23 2016...

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