EURO cross weaner steers selling to $779 was the bright spot in the Warrnambool weaner sale today.
Buyers and vendors generally quoted the sale around 50c/kg lower than last year's rates and comparable to other weaner sales this week and about 5-15c/kg lower than values for similar weight cattle in Hamilton last week.
Knebsworth producer Leigh Dunn sold his 16 421kg Charolais/Angus cross steers for $779 - more than $120 less than his tops last year, but enough to top the yarding of about 3300 Angus, Hereford and crossbred steers and heifers.
Other Euro cross steers over 300kg sold from $590 to $760 or from 170c/kg to 216c/kg for Deep Creek's 17 352kg pure Morgiana blood Charolais weaners that came out at $760 with a Gippsland buyer.
The quality heavy Angus steers sold to $718 or 162c/kg for Draffen Props 10 443kg steers that went to Kidman's Tungali feedlot at Sedan, South Australia.
Angus steers over 400kg generally sold from 162c/kg to 168c/kg or $660 to $701. The 300kg to 400kg Angus steers generally made from 152c/kg to 172c/kg or $490 to $630.
The best 300kg-plus Hereford steers sold from 150c/kg to 170c/kg or from $530 to $598 for Oaklawn's 25 367kg March-drop calves that went to district bullock finisher David Goldstraw. Steers of all breeds under 300kg sold from $330 to $520.
Heifers of all breeds over 300kg sold from 135c/kg to 152c/kg or from $425 to $567 for Roseneath North's 27 378 kg Charolais cross weaners.
The top-priced Angus heifers were Ryan Pastoral's 17 394kg Angus that came out at $552.
Saffin Kerr Bowen Wilson agent Phil Keane said the Euro cattle were the high point of the day.
"The sale was solid from woe to go at reduced rates both for the weighed and unweighed steers and heifers."
