CATTLE rates showed no signs of dipping, with prices on the increase again at another strong Strathalbyn store market on Friday.
Both numbers and prices were strong, with Nutrien auctioneer Ben Dickenson saying prices were slightly dearer when compared to February on heavy cattle, while "lighter grass cattle" were substantially dearer.
Numbers also rose by more than 200 head on February's yarding, while weights also rose.
Steers weighing 350 to 400 kilograms made from $5.94-$6.20/kg, 300-350kg steers made $6.15-$6.48/kg, those in the 250-300kg bracket received $6.51-$7.84/kg and those 250kg and below made $7.30-$8.86/kg.
Elders Strathalbyn agent Danny Reynolds described it as a "blistering sale", with cattle presented in good condition considering the dryness of the Hills and Upper South East.
He said while steers were generally 15-25c/kg dearer than February, heifers "flew off the rails" and were anywhere from 30-90c/kg dearer.
Topping the market at $2460 or $5.75/kg for 14 Jan/Feb 2021-drop Angus steers, av 428kg, was BR Tucker, Strathalbyn.
DJ&RJ Neumann, Yumali, received $2440 or $6.11/kg for seven May 2021-drop Speckle Park steers, av 399kg.
Making $2330 or $5.94/kg for five Jun/July-drop Angus steers, av 392kg, was McInness and Smith.
BG Camens & Son, Charleston, received $2320 or $6.06/kg for 11 Feb/Mar 2021-drop Shorthorn steers, av 383kg,
GH&PG Hand, Murray Bridge, sold 15 Limousin cross steers of the same age, av 364kg, for $2300 or $6.32/kg.
Receiving $2260 or $6.19/kg were 22 Dec 2020-Feb 2021-drop Murray Grey steers, av 365kg, from AM White, Lameroo.
Thirteen Pathfinder-bld Angus weaner steers, av 348kg, from RL&GK Willing, Hindmarsh Tiers, received $2170 or $6.24/kg, while 12 Angus, av 333kg, from Caleb Pratt, Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island, made $2160 or $6.49/kg.
Seventeen Jun/Jul/Aug 2021-drop Red Angus/South Devon steers, av 298kg, from GR&RA Smith, Port Pirie, made $1970 or $6.61/kg.
Seventeen Glenfern/Boonarkm-blood weaner Angus steers, av 330kg, from AL Eichner, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, sold for $2150 or $6.52/kg.
Other curve benders included 15 Sept/Oct 2021-drop Pathfinder-bld Angus steers, av 311kg, from JL Hausler, Mount Barker, making $2130 or $6.85/kg.
Rates for heifers were only marginally behind the steers.
Those weighing between 300 and 350 kilograms fetched between $5.64 and $6.50/kg, with those in the 250-300kg range making $6.21-$7.37/kg.
Heifers weighing under 250kg made $6.46-$7.47/kg.
The high price came for six April 2021-drop heifers, av 390kg, from CL Schubert which made $2070 or $5.31/kg to TFI.
JL Hausler sold 24 Sept/Oct 2021-drop Pathfinder-blood heifers, av 284kg, for $1830 or $6.44/kg, while 11 Mar/Apr 2021-drop Pathfinder-bld Angus heifers, av 359kg, from SJ&AK Pointon made $2050 or $5.71/kg.
AM White received $2040 or $5.22/kg for 13 Dec 2020-Feb 2021-drop Murray Greys, av 391kg.
Also cracking $2000 were ten Speckle Park heifers, av 309kg, from North Coast Pastoral, Kangaroo Island, making $2010 or $6.50/kg.
The next Strathalbyn market will be held on May 6.
Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Sign up here to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
