Feilding store stock sale

There was a big increase in the number of cows offered for sale but there are still not high numbers coming forward.

Sheep entries were 2000 head less than last week's and this drop was mostly in the numbers of heavy hoggets offered although ewe numbers were also reduced.

This reduction in numbers actually caused a slight lift in the sale prices of the heavy hoggets but not up to the very high prices we have seen this season with today's top price being $174.50 for 131 male hoggets after a strong pitch from auctioneer Cam Waugh.

The firmer levels were maintained for the heavy hogget section and in to the medium hoggets but then just buttoned off a little and the medium hoggets were fairly steady on last week overall. A high proportion of those medium hoggets are not quite finished so carcase yields would be lower.

These forward store hoggets as well as the obvious store hoggets were steady and, with growing indications that there will not be large numbers of early season lambs coming forward, may offer a last trading opportunity if their teeth are later cutting.

Ewe numbers are still low with the weather making life difficult for the docking gangs. There is continuing strong inquiry for ewe mutton and sale prices are still firming. If the early lambs do not come forward, this will lead to even more demand for ewes.

There was a big increase in the number of cows offered for sale but there are still not high numbers coming forward. Local trade demand kept the sale prices for the steer and the beef heifers at firm levels.

A number of the dairy cows sold this week were in good order but with the "same old same old" buyers operating in the "same old same old" fashion, sale prices were virtually steady with a little off the top but the lowest cents/kg improving.

Sheep (5,062): hoggets (4,474); heavy prime (1,414), 51-62kg, $161-$174.50, $2.80-$3.10, slight lift; medium prime (2,564), 40-50kg, $125-$158.50, $3.00-$3.30, steady; store (496), 26-42kg, $61-$139, $2.35-$3.60, steady; ewes (582); good, heavy (124), 26-34kg, $128-$150, $4.50-$5.00, firm; medium (376), 21-25kg, $88-$128, $4.20-$5.10, firm; lighter (53), 16-20kg, $61-$87, $3.80-$4.30, firm; 2th & fresh 4th (29), $68-$121; male sheep (6), $56-$150.

Cattle (74): steer (1), 520kg, $1435, $2.76; heifers (3), 400-550kg, $1000-$1578, $2.50-$2.87; cows (69); good, heavy, 385-635kg, $839-$1282, $2.00-$2.48, steady; boners, 365-580kg, $631-$1131, $1.70-$1.98, steady; bull (1), 620kg, $1661, $2.68.
Manfeild Park Calf Sale Monday September 25

This was described as a good, strong calf sale with around 200 calves sold.
Bulls: Friesian; good, $130-$150; medium, $100-$125; H/Fr x; good, $230-$250; medium, $140-$180.

Heifers: H/Fr x; good, $175-$205; medium, $100-$165.