Limited selection: stiff competition

AT VLE Pakenham there were about 500 export and 1000 young cattle penned, marking a decrease of 250 head week-on-week.
There was a full field of buyers present and operating in a dearer market overall. Quality was very wintery with plainer cattle throughout and prime drafts limited, resulting in stronger competition for the limited selection of well covered cattle.
A handful of vealers suited to butcher orders sold firm. Yearling trade steers held firm while the heifer portion gained nine cents to 12 cents per kilogram. Feeder steers improved five cents to 15 cents for most with heavy steers to go straight onto feed attracting the strongest competition.
Grown steers and bullocks gained eight cents to 18 cents per kilogram for most with the secondary drafts seeing the best lift.
Vealers sold mostly from 240 cents to 310 cents per kilogram. Yearling trade steers made between 274 cents and 309 cents per kilogram.
Yearling heifers suited to the trade sold between 240 cents to 300 cents per kilogram. Feeder steers made from 236 cents to 293 cents with the heifer portion from 235 cents to 266 cents per kilogram.
Grown steers sold from 250 cents to 315 cents per kilogram. A fairly limited selection of bullocks made between 280 cents and 314 cents per kilogram. Heavy weight grown heifers showing good finish sold between 223 cents and 273 cents per kilogram.
Heavy weight crossbred manufacturing steers made from 227 cents to 274 cents per kilogram.
The VLE Draw for the week commencing Monday 8 June is as follows: 1, Nathan Gibbon Livestock; 2, Alex Scott and Staff; 3, Everitt, Seeley and Bennetts; 4, SEJ; 5, Rodwells; 6, Elders; 7, Landmark.
The next Store Sale is Thursday 4 June commencing at 10am.
Note – There will be no sale next Monday, 8 June due to the Queen’s Birthday public holiday.
VEALERS
Twelve, R.J. Young, Pearcedale, 300 kilograms, 250.0 cents per kilogram, $749.63.
STEERS
Fifteen, R. Hargreaves, Trentham East, 314, 500, $1575.09; 9, D.N. and B.M. Jenkins, Woori Yallock, 527, 305.0, $1609; 17, S. Doyle-Cox, Lardner, 520, 304.0, $1580; 17, T. and R. Waterfall, Balnarring, 465, 296.0, $1376.40; 7, R. Harrison, Tynong, 474, 295.7, $1400.55; 15, Raglan Farming Partnership, Neerim, 449.7, 295.0, $1326; 8, P. Moore, Balnarring, 568, 294.6, $1673.70; 16, Gordon Danks, Icy Creek, 448, 292.6, $1311.
HEIFERS
Twelve, I.C. and R. Hengstberger, Dumbalk North, 392, 287.0, $1113; 40, Mattabbie Pty Ltd, Nyora, 443, 285.0, $1263.62; 9, J. and D. Affleck, Toongabbie, 453, 273.0, $1241.
BULLOCKS
Fourteen, R. and S. White, Dromana, 622, 306.0, $1904.85; 39, Crossroads Angus, Dean, 501, 298.0, $1496.24; 11, A. and I. Pitt, Shady Creek, 521, 284.7, $1485.36; 13, N.R. and J.M. McLeish, Warragul, 540, 283.2, $1529.52; 10, Myunah Farm, Fish Creek, 610, 210.2, $1892.22.
COWS
Ten, Ballykenny Pty Ltd, Drouin West, 621, 260.0, $1615.9.