Buyers scramble in larger market

This week at VLE Pakenham there were approximately 1200 export and 800 young cattle penned, representing an increase of nearly 300 head from the sale a fortnight ago.
A full field of buyers was present and competing in a dearer market.
Quality was mixed but generally fair and demand was strong from buyers who were keen to secure numbers with exporters leading the competition.
Most vealers sold at similar prices with the odd dearer sale, selling mostly from 222 cents to 267 cents per kilogram.
Yearling trade steers gained 15 cents, making between 226 cents and 266 cents while the heifers lifted mostly 11 cents and up to 21 cents for the best drafts, returning 218 cents to 267 cents per kilogram.
Steers and heifers to feed on sold at similar levels, feeder steers made from 205 cents to 241 cents with the heifer portion sold from 218 cents to 227 cents per kilogram.
Steers and bullocks were hotly contested for, with prices improving 18 cents to 28 cents a kilogram. Grown steers sold from 238 cents to 268 cents and bullocks made between 230 cents and 267 cents per kilogram.
Heavy weight Friesian manufacturing steers sold between 214 cents and 225 cents with the crossbred portion between 211 cents and 240 cents per kilogram.
The VLE Draw for the week commencing Monday 20 April is as follows: 1, Landmark; 2, Alex Scott and Staff; 3, Nathan Gibbon Livestock; 4, SEJ; 5, Rodwells; 6, Everitt, Seeley and Bennetts; 7, Elders.
The next Store Sale is Thursday 23 April commencing at 10am.
Steers
Thirteen, R.P. and V.M. Carroll, Pakenham, 575 kilograms, 238.3 cents per kilogram, $1369.49; 9, R.H. Hocking, Officer, 558, 246.0, $1373.50; 28, McLaw No. 4 Pty Ltd, Pakenham, 545, 247.6, $1348.08; 7, R. Martin, Drouin West, 590, 256.6, $1516.03.
Heifers
Fifteen, B. Waterfall, Lang Lang, 474, 236.0, $1118.00; 8, J.F. Kelly, Tooradin, 483, 220.0, $1061.50; 7, R. McGann, Nar Nar Goon North, 373, 222.0, $827.74; 18, T.A. and A.F. Scanlon, Tynong, 394, 214.6, $845.30; 8, T.J. Hasthorpe, Moe, 555, 240.0, $1333.00; 14, Coliban Heights Pty Ltd, Spring Hill, 425, 235.0, $998.75; 20, P. Van Der Ven, Kooweerup, 471, 248.0, $1168.70.
Bullocks
Ten, M. Francis, Macclesfield, 646, 256.6, $1658.00; 7, M. and J. Mortaruolo, Iona, 620, 232.0, $1438.40; 11, F.C. and E. Tuck, Tynong, 716, 240.3, $1719.07; 11, D.N. and B.M. Jenkins, Woori Yallock, 584, 266.0, $1558.00; 27, Coliban Heights Pty Ltd, Spring Hill, 513, 245.0, $1275.25; 20, L.J. and S.L. Purcell, Alexandra, 546, 245.8, $1342.71; 16, M.D. Robinson, Smythes Creek, 544, 257.3, $1400.91; 13, Rural Investments, Alexandra, 610, 262.6, $1580.65; 21, P. and A. Hansen, Toongabbie, 734, 239.1, $1756.75.