Bold bids buoy cracker Pleasant sale

Sheep and cattle alike were in red-hot demand from processors and graziers looking to fill orders before Easter.

Indeed, Landmark Anderson & Fawcett's Colin Fawcett said it was "probably the best we've seen it for a long time".

Although lambs did not make the lofty highs seen at some of SA's selling centres recently, most consignments easily attracted winning bids between $130 and $140, with a modest top of $170.

Well-grown steers and heifers sold to $900 and $860 respectively, while cows with calves made $1220 and empty or dry cows sold to $1110.

"It was a very solid sale across both sheep and cattle," Mr Fawcett said.

"Lambs were solid throughout and fully firm, and we haven't sold hoggets or old ewes at these prices for a while.

"Older sheep were substantially dearer on the last sale."

He said there was good attendance, especially with school holidays drawing out a number of aspiring future farmers.

Sheridan Partners, Birdwood, sold the ten best lambs for $170 to Thomas Foods International.

Regular headliners Tim and Kelly Brown, Keyneton, played bridesmaid for the first time in a few months, selling the second-highest lambs at $160 for 27 to ALC.

Jenny Horley, Birdwood, sold six at $151 to TFI, and JW Pym & Sons, Rockley, sold a total of 254 to a top of $144 to Midfield, averaging $133.

Doben Pty Ltd, Rockley, sold 82 lambs to $138, while DC White, Harrogate, and VK&MA Mueller, Cromer, each sold lambs at $135, in runs of 36 and 23 respectively.

A pen of 18 young Merino ewes joined to White Suffolk sires made $130 for Brian Linke, Angaston, and four empty older ewes in very good condition made $150 to TFI for C&S Wingrove, Mount Pleasant.

KA McGorman, Mount Pleasant, had the honour of selling 14 hoggets at $152 to TFI while KB Lillecrapp, Eden Valley, sold six at $142 and WR&EJ Sibley, Angaston, sold 17 at $138.

"There was the same (strong) demand for the cattle," Mr Fawcett said.

"They were probably a touch stronger than the previous market, in line with other sales."

Several steers sold as singles topped at $900, with RJ&D Heinrich, Freeling, selling four of these - two Murray Grey and two Angus.

I Cornish, Gumeracha, also sold a black baldy steer at $900, and AG&PA Loffler, Mannum, sold one Angus at $850.

LN&BD Vogelsang, Wirrabara, sold two lightweight Angus steers at $610 and one at $630.

NH&DM Kies, Lyndoch, sold a single milk vealer at $710, and Sam Bond, Mannum, sold two Red Poll vealer steers to $810, and two heifers to $690.

The best heifer at $860 was an Angus sold by B Thomas, Birdwood, and bought by Gawler River Cattle Co.

Alard Pastoral, Balhannah, sold one Angus heifer at $850, and Muriel Carter, Gumeracha, sold a Murray Grey heifer at $760.

There was solid bidding for a pen of six Poll Hereford cows with black calves at foot, sold by WR&BA Henderson, Mount Pleasant. These were eventually knocked down for $1220 to Prostock.

* Full report in Stock Journal, April 24, 2014 issue.