High numbers flowed through to Wednesday, where nearly 1200 cattle and 5600 lambs featured.
Line sizes for ewes last Monday were variable though by sale end 62 main lots had sold. The top line of eight sold to $212.50, and the next $199.70. Prices were firm for the remainder with the better types making $130-$159, and medium-good $124-$129.50. The lighter end sold for $100-$119.
Compared to the ewes, the lambs and hoggets took up very little sale time with just under 140 lambs mainly making $138-$166.
Cattle numbers increased to 60 head and quality lines could be found in the steer, heifer and cow sections.
Steer prices came off recent highs though still traded at $3.01-$3.13/kg, and considering that most were at least 600kg per head prices ranged from $1860-$2140. A line of 10 Angus heifers, 539kg, sold on a steady market at $3.06/kg.
Cow numbers pushed to 30 head and demand from processors was very strong, which was reflected in high prices paid. Angus, 662-712kg, achieved $2.45-$2.54/kg, with South Devon, 601kg, in the slot also at $2.53/kg.
The buying bench for store lambs on Wednesday was much more local and with rain needed prices eased overall.
Most of the heavier lambs were blackface and rams sold to $125, while the better mixed sex achieved $101-$131. Medium mixed sex came back as they traded at $90-$108, with lighter lines making $84-$89. Medium ewe lambs sold well enough at $94-$95, while very light rams returned $86-$89.
The hoggets and ewes with lambs-at-foot proved to be harder to sell due with a noted easing in interest for the hoggets in particular. Hoggets sold for $72-$85, while a small line of mixed age made $95.
Buyers traveled from Waikato through to Wairarapa for a chance to place bids on a quality yarding of store cattle. A specially advertised entry of 92 well bred, quiet Hereford bulls all sold to Taranaki as one buyer took the lot for the dairy herds. All traded at $1605-$1740, with 423-473kg making $3.69-$3.88/kg.
Traditional cattle also featured prominently with vendor support from Wairoa and local. Of interest was 2-year Angus steers, 434-447kg, making similar $/kg as 1-year Angus steers, 384-411kg at $3.49-$3.50/kg and $3.42-$3.50/kg respectively. Angus cattle featured in the heifer pens also, where a line of 26 2-year, 411kg, sold for $1260, $3.07/kg, while the younger heifers, 300-342kg, returned $1065-$1140. A nice line of 1-year South Devon-cross heifers stayed local and fetched $1130, $3.31/kg, while Hereford-Friesian, 290-297kg, sold for $3.06-$3.10/kg.
Friesian bulls came forward in big numbers but there was a blanket easing in prices across both the 2-year and 1-year pens. The older lines, 470-468kg, eased to $2.94-$2.99/kg, while 1-year Friesian traded at $3.03-$3.11/kg for 305-350kg.
Cows with calves-at-foot also had a good showing and were well contested. Hereford-Friesian were the pick, selling for $1900-$1960, with Angus & Angus-Hereford making $1850.
