Store job stays strong at Naracoorte

While the yarding was described as mixed quality, prices didn't suffer with steers weighing 400 kilograms making $4.50 to $4.75/kg, while those in the 350-400kg range made $4.75-$5.15/kg.

Those weighing 300-350kg primarily sold for $5-$5.50/kg, with lightweights under 300kg making anywhere from $5.30-$6.30/kg.

Heifer rates weren't far off the steers, with 350kg plus heifers consistently being knocked down for $4.20-$4.60/kg.

Those weighing 300-350kg generally made between $4.60-$5.10/kg, with the 250-300kg range selling for $4.90-$5.30/kg and the limited number of heifers under 250kg making $5.10-$5.90/kg.

Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen director Robin Steen said their wasn't a lot of weight in the sale, with less numbers of 400kg plus cattle than at previous markets.

PPHS's run of steers averaged $5/kg across the board with the heifers averaging $4.78/kg.

"Everybody has been finding what they can, where they can and sending them because they're taking the money while it's there," Mr Steen said.

"We had about 40 vendors selling yesterday from Meningie, Tintinara, Keith down and lots of local cattle.

"The store job is certainly on fire, there's no doubt about that."

Making $2220 or $4.65/kg were 18 Angus steers, av 477kg, from Agnew Brothers, which sold to Teys Charlton.

Akeringa, Padthaway, sold 13 Bull Oak Well-blood Angus steers, av 448kg, for $2120 or $4.73/kg to Thomas Foods International.

Also cracking the $2000 mark were 22 Stoney Point-bld Angus steers, av 430kg, from Stewartdale, Naracoorte, which were knocked down for $2030 to TFI.

Demanding $4.70/kg or $1998 were 17, 425kg steers from Parmaree Farming Trust, Kingston.

Five Pathfinder-bld Angus steers, av 421kg, from Laurie Park, were bought by Hopkins River, Dunkeld, Vic, for $1970 or $4.68/kg.

Leading the way on a cents per kilogram basis were eight Angus steers, av 223kg, from PB&KM Derrington, which fetched $1400 or $6.28/kg.

Twelve Glentanner-bld Angus steers, av 225kg, from Manga, sold for $1370 or $6.09/kg, while five Hazeldean-bld Angus steers from Cadgee Park, Cadgee, av 302kg, made $1670 or $5.53/kg.

On the buying side of the equation, NSW commission buyer Duncan Brown had a swag of orders to fill from heavier cattle to lighter, off types and bought about 300 head in total.

Mr Steen said a domestic feedlotter was very active on the heifers, while local buyers and feedlotters rounded out the buying crowd.

Topping the selection of heifers was a solitary 420kg heifer from KM&CM Pfitzner, which made $4.25/kg or $1785.

Making $1750 or $4.15/kg were 15 Bull Oak Well-bld Angus heifers from Akeringa while 13, 396kg heifers from Shadamah Farms, Tintinara, sold for $1730 or $4.30/kg.

Meadowside Estate, Naracoorte, received $4.60/kg or $1706 from Elders Mildura for 12 Angus heifers, av 370.8kg, and $4.58/kg or $1688 for a further 20, av 368.5kg, sold to the same buyer.

In the 300-350kg weight range, 12 Clover Ridge-bld Angus heifers, av 303kg, from SM&WJ Johnson, Naracoorte, made $1550 or $5.12/kg, with nine Bendulla & Woonalee-bld Poll Hereford cross Simmental heifers, av 307kg, from AJ&LC Facey, Millicent, reached $1550 or $5.05/kg.

The same vendor sold 18, 278kg heifers of the same description for $1480 or $5.32/kg, while 12 vendor-bred composites from Duck Island, Keith, av 291kg, made $1550 or $5.33/kg.

Reaching the highest mark on a $/kg basis were 23 Weigal Park heifers, av 201kg, selling for $1200 or $5.97/kg.

Of the cows with calves-at-foot, eight composite-blds with eight CAF from C&M Patterson, Iona, Bool Lagoon, made $2800.

GA Hutchinson sold 18 mixed age Angus Devon cross cows, with 18 Charolais cross CAF, for $2400.

While there were yardings of 3340 in February and 1650 this month, numbers are expected to drop off in coming months.

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