THE only thing to dampen a bright day at VLE Pakenham were bullock prices, which were six cents per kilogram cheaper.
The balance of the equal size yarding were mostly of good to very good quality and sold at rates between two cents and six cents per kilogram higher. The competition was unchanged, but there was very strong demand from feedlots for a broad range of weights and quality. This, coupled with solid demand from the trade, created the price differences.
There are few top quality vealers ready at this time of year, and this could be blamed for a top price of 237.6 cents per kilogram for a single beast. However, competition was strong across all classes and prices ranged mostly between 170 cents and 220 cents per kilogram for B and C muscle vealers. To match these, there was a good supply of supplementary fed yearlings which sold between 195 cents and 227 cents per kilogram. There were 200 vealers and740 yearlings penned.
Away from these very good quality steers and heifers, there were plenty of sales between 178 cents and 200 cents for steers, and 172 cents to 192 cents per kilogram for heifers.
Feedlot buyers were chasing a large range of weights and quality with some steers up to 460 kilograms liveweight achieving the higher prices to 200 cents per kilogram. Most steers purchased for longer term feeding made from 178 cents to 200 cents per kilogram. Most heifers purchased made between 175 cents and 192 cents per kilogram.
The only downturn in the sale was seen for grown steers with numerous good to very good quality penned in the offering of 140 head. Prices ranged between 170 cents for some plainer D muscle steers to 188 cents per kilogram for very good quality bullocks, which weighed up to 700 kilograms liveweight. While these were up to six cents cheaper, grown heifers made to 163 cents per kilogram selling at unchanged rates.
Vealers
Eleven, K.R. and A. Couch, Bass, 368 kilograms, 223.3 cents per kilogram, $922.23; 11, B. and L. Seebeck, Berwick, 436, 209.9, $915.75; 10, Ajay partners, Leongatha, 414, 207, $855.80; 5, Vening Pastoral Co., Hedley, 419, 203.6, $852.94; 32, L.M. and J.M. Kelly, Ullswater, 370, 202, $747.40; 7, F. and B. Taylor, Nar Nar Goon, 345, 200.9, $692.96; 7, A. and K. Morphett, Bayles, 306, 200.8, $615.26; 53, Mortat Station, West Wimmera, 416, 200, $832.96; 10, C.R. and B.K. Littlejohn, Leongatha North, 408, 197, $803.78; 8, H.S. and I.L. Stephenson, Bayles, 402, 193.7, $778.45; 9, J. and V. Williams, Caldermeade, 506, 191.2, $968.58.
Steers
Twelve, R.J. and A.R. McRae, Buffalo, 461, 196.4, $905.19; 8, S.D. Armstrong, Toongabbi, 381, 195.1, $742.53; 13, Ron Chatfield, Cora Lynn, 501, 192, $952.22; 12, Stevenson Trust, Poowong, 632, 189.2, $1196.00; 12, J. and R. Counsell, Almurta, 572, 188, $1075.00; 9, O.D. and V.A. Howard, Kooweerup, 581, 188, $1093.51; 14, M. Elliott, Flinders, 598, 186.8, $1117.00; 9, Classicus Pty Ltd, Dromana, 586, 182.2, $1068.00.
Heifers
Fourteen, J. Raskatos, Nar Nar Goon, 415, 187.6, $778.54; 15, R.C. Peterson, Lyndhurst, 414, 184.6, $764.72; 13, Ron Chatfield, Cora Lynn, 425, 184.6, $785.97.
Bullocks
Twelve, W.B. Nixon, Yarra Glen, 728, 192.6, $1402.77; 12, M. Prossor, Red Hill, 585, 192, $1123.20; 10, M. and H. Alexander, Lilydale, 596.5, 191, $1139.32; 13, Ryevale Park, Rye, 741, 190, $1408.20; 12, R.D. White, Yarra Glen, 679, 190, $1290.42; 5, K.C.F. and H.R. Brown, Tankerton, 653, 190, $1240.7.
The VLE Draw for the week commencing Monday 9 August is: 1, Landmark; 2, Elders; 3, Mick Hornsby; 4, Rodwells; 5, Nathan Gibbon; 6, Everitt and Seeley; 7, Alex Scott; 8, SEJ.
The next store sale is tomorrow, starting at 10am.
