Angus steers in demand at Strath

In light rain, Elders and Landmark cleared all 500 cattle, including 120 weaners offered by Curnamona Station, north of Yunta.

Elders Peterborough manager Tim Taplin said the best of Curnamona's Poll Hereford steers sold for $590, equating to about $1.85 a kilogram for a pen of 16.

"The dearest ones per kilo were the small calves," he said.

Curnamona also sold 15 Poll Hereford heifers for $415, or about $1.50/kg.

Mr Taplin said it was part of Curnamona Station's annual sell-off and there would be more to come.

But it was Angus steers that started the sale off on a solid note, beginning with two pens from Mills Farming, Kangaroo Island.

Its first pen of 12 Angus steers sold for $740 while its second pen of 11 sold for $770.

Versteegh & Denker, Strathalbyn, sold a pen of nine Angus steers at $670.

Elders Strathalbyn livestock manager Danny Reynolds said steers were generally $20 to $30 dearer than the last outing, with lightweight steers making $2.20/kg.

"Steers in the 300kg to 350kg range sold from $600-$635, with the lighter fellows making from $450-$580," he said.

TJ Steed, Strathalbyn, sold 10 Murray Grey steers at $580 while Gum Creek Marron Farm, KI, sold five Angus-cross steers at $450.

Heifer prices were up on the last sale at Strathalbyn, with Mills Farming fielding a pen of nine Angus heifers at $650 and another pen of 9 at $635.

"Heifers were generally $30 to $40 dearer, with a lot of heifers over $500," Mr Reynolds said.

"Black heifers from KI again stole the show, selling in the mid $600s, averaging $1.70kg to $1.80kg.

"Lighter heifers sold for $400-$500, with smaller heifer calves in that $300-$400 range."

Mr Reynolds said a large run of "quality" Poll Hereford heifers offered by Curnamona ranged between $364 and $415, while its heifer calves sold from $300-$330.

* Full report in Stock Journal, July 10, 2014 issue.