Strong sales in dry spell

A SLIGHT lift in supply was unexpected at VLE Pakenham, but the continued hot and dry conditions are having an effect on the condition of some cattle. This has seen some producers selling rather than trying to hold on till later. Having said that, there were a lot of good-through-to-excellent quality cattle penned, which included vealers yearlings and older cattle. The sale opened strongly, which generally followed through most of the sale, and this saw most prices average at unchanged rates. However, buyers are aware of the potential for poor dressing percentages with the seasonal conditions affecting some cattle, and were cautious when some cattle were sold. The only exception was for heavy steers and bullocks, which sold to stronger demand and were two cents to six cents per kilogram dearer.
There was only one single sale at 200 cents with most of the top quality vealers making between 180 cents and 195 cents per kilogram. Although the top prices were lower, averages were unchanged over the 700 head penned. Other good quality vealers made from 157 cents to 178 cents with some plainer condition, and poorer shaped vealers from 137 cents to 158 cents per kilogram. Weight was an issue at times for the best quality B muscle yearlings with prices ranging between 158 cents to 172 cents per kilogram. Numerous sales of good quality steers made from 145 cents to 164 cents with similar graded heifers making between 134 cents and 164 cents per kilogram.
Just over 100 grown steers were sold, and with that strong demand prices were between 150 cents and 164 cents per kilogram for bullocks, and up to 166 cents per kilogram for heavy yearling steers. There were a number of grown heifers, and other plainer condition cattle that made from 125 cents to 138 cents per kilogram, which was unchanged for the quality offered. The next store sale is Thursday 18 February commencing at 10am.

Vealers

Fourteen, D.R. and J.L. Joyce, Glenburn, 405 kilograms, 186 cents per kilogram, $752; 3, J. Ellis, Bayles, 358, 185.4, $664.27; 11, M. and S. Reedy, Garfield, 342, 182, $622.44; 10, Linga Longa, Cardinia, 375, 182.9, $685.69; 9, K.A. and J.E. McAlpine, Leongatha, 332, 181.5, $602.90; 14, A. and H.M. Overeem, Lang Lang, 379, 178.8, $578.75; 16, Bridgeview, Woolamai, 320, 177, $567.60; 10, R. and L. Hoy, Leongatha, 362, 175.6, $634.57; 20, G.A. and W.A. Watkins, Yannakie, 382, 173.3, $661.93; 20, N. and J. Hazelton, Mirboo North, 328, 170.5, $558.96; 12, Eau De Cale Nominees, Glen Forbes, 380, 167.1, $634.89; 14, B.V. and G.A. Sibly, Woolamai, 331, 162.8, $540.16; 8, R.B. and V.G. Peterson, Drouin South, 462, 155, $715.91.

Steers

Nine, Luigi Bernardo, Clyde, 420, 167, $700; 15, I. Scholes, Merricks, 547, 164.2, $899; 14, Mario Bernardo, Longwarry, 402, 163.6, $659; 19, D.H. Collins Farms, Willow Grove, 560, 162.6, $911; 7, D. and M. Knight, Yarra Glen, 651, 161.6, $1052.71; 6, G. and C. Russell, Kooweerup, 550, 161.6, $888.80; 13, Meadow View, Mardan, 523, 160.2, $837.35; 12, V.C. and P. Vincenzino, Officer, 641, 160, $1026.00; 7, G. and B. Hunter, Whittlesea, 573, 159.5, $913.63; 16, A. Andreata, Cora Lynn, 558, 159.2, $888.00; 6, B. and J. Evans, Ripplebrook, 407, 159.2, $649.00; 24, R.C. and F.M. Bowen, Yellingbo, 550, 158, $869; 5, G.M. and V.S. Walker, Kooweerup, 634, 158, $1001.72; 11, M. and D. Towt, Kooweerup, 520, 156, $811.20; 10, H. McKenzie, Kooweerup, 492, 156, $767.52; 4, K.L. and N.H. Bethel, Steels Creek, 456, 155.4, $709.10; 11, G.J. and L.J. Blake, Ripplebrook, 511, 151.8, $775.08.

Heifers

Twenty eight, Blackmore Pastoral, Grantville, 388, 162.9, $633.55; 4, Kara Mia Pastoral, Longwarry North, 469, 155, $726.56; 15, Meadow View, Mardan, 482, 149.4, $719.61; 15, M.J. and V.E. Bayes, Bayles, 485, 152.7, $739.90.

Bullocks

Eighteen, D. Hobkirk, Kooweerup, 607, 158.2, $960.83; 6, M.D. Gregorio, Red Hill, 652, 158, $1031; 5, T. Scanlon, Tynong, 713, 156.16, $1116.50; 10, Pollotti College, Millgrove, 640, 156, $999.18; 12, E. Caenar, Cockatoo, 663, 155.9, $1033.38; 12, G. and L. Rouse, Pakenham, 665, 155, $1031.40; 17, R. and L. Pedder, Shoreham, 693, 154.6, $1016; 6, E.A.P. and S.H. Chandler, Jindivick, 716, 153.2, $1097.93; 11, P. and M. Benardo, Clyde, 683, 152.8, $1043.91; 10, I. and D. Kent, Dalyston, 682, 152.6, $1040.73; 8, M. Stephans, Poowong, 779, 150.6, $1172.80.

Cows

Nine, Naum Dellios and Co., Geelong, 597, 134, $799.53; 10, R.C. Peterson, Cranbourne, 538, 130.6, $702.80.
The VLE draw for the week commencing Monday 15 February is as follows: 1, Nathan Gibbon; 2, Alex Scott; 3, SEJ; 4, Rodwells; 5, Everitt and Seeley; 6, Mick Hornsby; 7, Elders; 8, Landmark.