IN a somewhat surprising result, prices crept over the 200c/kg mark for the top lines of steers at Hamilton today.
Bidding duels between repeat buyers pushed rates for Neville McClure’s’ Moree Hereford calves – sold in the past at Casterton’s January calf sales – to 201c/kg and 204c/kg.
The lead line of 100 Moree calves, weaned two weeks and EU accredited, weighed 381kg, and topped the sale at $773.
John Wyld bought the calves to be grass-finished to bullock weights in South Gippsland.
The second run of 108 Moree calves, 357kg sold for 204 or $728 to repeat local buyer Tim Hutton.
Also breaking the 200c/kg mark was the Malseed family’s lead line of Urana Herefords for 201c/kg, or $645 for 321kg steers.
Once off these feature lines the market fell back to its earlier pattern of 172-185c/kg for heavier steers with lighter types continuing to be discounted down to 150c/kg
