THE result of the opening Naracoorte weaner steer sale today exceeded price predictions made earlier this week, after the section topped at $1640 for Speckle Park steers.

SOME of the best quality cattle seen in many seasons are expected to be on offer at the opening Naracoorte weaner steer and heifer sales today and tomorrow.

The deal that sees the US get 35,000t of the EU's annual 45,000t quota of grain-fed beef imports comes into effect in January.

After a six-month hiatus, the Strathalbyn store cattle market returned strongly on Friday.

AN export order provided the floor price for strong steer competition at Naracoorte's monthly store cattle sale on Thursday.

The US-Japan trade deal could come into effect as early as January 1.

With the difficult seasonal conditions, it's important not to miss securing a kill before the closure.

Demand for heavier steers exceeded vendor expectations at a Willalooka circuit sale on Friday.

AN EXCELLENT turnout of buyers at the Mount Pleasant market on Thursday last week were met with a good quality offering in both the sheep and cattle yardings.

The small rise in the national cattle hard masks some large changes on a state and regional scale according to Mecardo's Angus Brown.