Northland livestock report

The latest from the Northland sales. File Photo / Michael Cunningham

The days are getting dry and the cattle market doesn't like it. The cattle market is starting to ease and slaughter values are dropping away.

DARGAVILLE SALE:

After all the big yardings at Dargaville recently last week's was back to normal, with 178 store cattle. Everything went well on the day. Two-year steers made $1230 then 15-month steers fetched $1035 to $1100. Fifteen-month bulls made $900 then weaner bulls made $600 to $665, then light bulls $380 to $465 and 15-month heifers sold for $1005, then $820 to $895. One-year heifers made $680 to $700 then $650 down to $510 to $530. Weaner heifers sold for $505 to $552 down to $475 for light heifers. Feeder calves sold from $135 to $270.

WELLSFORD SALE:

The sale was smaller at Wellsford on Monday December 4 and values tended to ease as the hot sun dries the countryside. Heavy steers made $1530 to $1705 (3.00c-3.08c) then $405 to $1485 (2.63c-3.03c) down to $1100 to $1195 (2.86c-3.22c). Fifteen-month steers sold for $1005 to $1065 (3.05c-3.29c) then $800 to $975 (2.76c-3.07c). One-year bulls made $1070 to $1170 (2.73c-2.80c) then $780 to $810 (2.57c-2.80c) down to $610 to $785 (2.61c-2.73c). Weaner steers fetched $690 to $805 (3.43c-2.94c) then $415 to $585 (2.00c-5.45c). Weaner bulls fetched $450 to $540 (4.64c-4.63c). Rising 2-year heifers made $1105 to $1290 (2.70c-2.95c) then $940 to $990 (2.79c-3.01c) and light 1-year heifers made $545 to $740 (2.45c-5.05c). Weaner heifers sold for $705 to $875 (7.05c-2.29c-4.15c).

TUESDAY:

Prices eased again as export schedules dropped some more and the hot dry conditions prevail. Heavy steers made $1802 to $2106 (2.71c-2.84c) then $1300 to $1496 (2.68c-2.70c). Heavy prime heifers sold for $1248 to $1519 (2.71c-2.80c) then $1035 to $1123 (2.30c-2.80c). Heavy cows made $1566 to $1748 (1.99c-2.10c) then $1303 to $1317 (1.99c-2.10c) and $832 to $954 (1.80c-1.84c).

SHEEP:

Sheep values eased as conditions took control of the day; prime lambs made $120 to $130 then $102 to $117 down to $98 to $106; mixed ewes sold for $100 to $120 then $90 to $81 down to $60 to $80 and $50 to $60. Store lambs sold for $70 to $85 then $50 to $69 down to $39 and $46 to $49.

KAURI SALE:

Kauri on Tuesday, December 5 was much the same as previous sales although values were perhaps a little more mixed for the 92 head. Two-year Angus cross steers made $1320. 15-month steers sold for $1080 to $1130, then $910 to $990 down to $800 to $880. One-year Hereford cross steers made $850 and Herefords $600. Weaner Angus steers made $725 then $535, down to $450 to $495. Weaner Whiteface bulls sold for $535. Fifteen-month heifers made $740 to $800.One-year heifers made $590 to $600 and light heifers $555 down to $405 to $510. Autumn born 1-year Jersey cross steers made $345 to $360. Feeder calves sold from $100 to $170.

SHEEP:

Hoggets $80, $120 and $115.

Lambs $80, $90, $70 and $61.

KAIKOHE SALE:

Another offering of 700-plus cattle at Kaikohe on Wednesday, good quality cattle are still selling well. A bigger offering of poorer-quality cattle struggled on the day. Heavy steers made $1425 to $1580 (2.74c-2.82c) then 2-year steers made $1210 for Angus cross (2.55c) and Hereford cross $1070 (2.85c). Thirty-month Friesian bulls made $1550 (2.80c). Hereford cross 15-month steers made $1480 (3.16c) with other steers Angus, Hereford and Whiteface made $780 to $850 (3.10c-3.30c) and 15-month Simmental bulls $1020 (3.00c) with beef cross bulls $750 to $820 (2.85c). Weaner bulls made $540 to $710 (3.60c-4.30c). Weaner Short horn bulls made $530 to $535 (2.13c-2.46c). 1-year steers made $930 (3.53c) then $869 to $870 (3.24c3.58c) and weaner steers $440 to $510 (4.79c-5.59c). Autumn Angus steers made $835 (3.35c). 30-month heifers sold for $1210 down to $1020 to $1080 (2.65c-2.70c).

Fifteen-month heifers made $1480 (2.67c) then $1070 to $1300 (2.88c-2.92c). One-year heifers made $800 to $890 (2.58c-3.01) then Whiteface, Hereford cross and Simmental cross heifers made $730 to $780 to $830 (2.85c-3.00c) and light heifers $625 to $830 (2.66c2.83c) then $550 to $625 (2.58c-2.70c) and $480 (3.38c). Hereford cows and calves made $1405, dairy cows and calves made $910. Heavy empty cows fetched $1100 to $1200, medium cows $850 to $950.

- Compiled by Brian Sills