MOUNT PLEASANT
Yarding: 750 sheep and lambs, 170 cattle
Lambs to $153
Steers to $1360
Cows to $1500
SLIGHTLY improved yarding numbers and stock condition had buyers competing strongly at the Mount Pleasant sale on Thursday last week.
A competitive turnout of buyers inspected the 750 sheep and lambs, and 170 cattle, with Landmark Fawcett Mount Pleasant principal Colin Fawcett saying it was the major processors that snapped up any well-finished livestock.
“Keen buyers attended and it caused a dearer trend. Sheep and lamb bidding was dominated by the processors but new buyers also braved the weather,” he said.
“Although a lot of the stock yarded were the tail-end of last season’s draft, most stock were supplementary fed which put them in better condition compared with past markets.”
In the lamb yarding, the top price of $153 was paid for four crossbred lambs from P Harrison, Springton.
LJ&LJ Rowley, Myponga, made the second-highest price of $152 for a line of 17 crossbred lambs and D&M & C Schultz, Cambrai, offered 10 lambs that made $150.
Lamb prices continued to hold firm throughout the sale with one of larger lines on offer of 20 crossbred lambs from Sonntag Estates, Tanunda, making $140.
Mr Fawcett said the top end of the cattle lines sold well considering the extreme weather on sale day and, the continued lack of feed because of the late start to the season.
“We had a pretty large gallery of buyers that knew which cattle they wanted and made competitive bids,” he said.
“There was a lot of grazier inquiry on the lighter sheep and cattle too, as producers have begun looking to secure a few more numbers.
“We are starting to see a bit of feed emerging in paddocks across the region. The recent rain has helped to bring more confidence in stocking up again.”
Mr Fawcett said steer prices were on trend with past sales, with two Angus steers from Adam Czechowski, Mypolonga, making $1620.
While a Murray Grey steer from JD Cawrse, Freeling, made $1360 and an Angus steer from D Prentice, Harrogate, made $1300.
Top quality cows were also in demand from buyers, with an Angus cow from GD&VH Wright, Kapunda, making $1500, while eight Murray Grey cows from P&W Bennett, Birdwood, made $1300.
DC Holt, Eden Valley, sold two Angus cows for $1240.
Heifers made to $1280 for two Murray Grey heifers from Clifton Vineyards, Angaston.
The next Mount Pleasant market will be held on July 12.