Solid competition and a couple of new buyers underpinned Mount Pleasant market on Thursday last week, helping well-presented stock record a slight uptick in returns.
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Nutrien Fawcett Livestock's Ashley Fawcett said local butchers, feedlotters and graziers had improved interest in sheep and lambs, and cattle.
"There was better competition on good stock, with a new butcher operating as well," he said.
"Mutton returns continued on a downward trend inline with other markets. Buyers are taking advantage of cheaper lamb prices rather than buy mutton."
The market was well attended and had a solid number of 968 sheep and lambs, and 103 cattle yarded.
In the lamb section, the top price was made by TW&CD Scott, Kersbrook, for its seven crossbred lambs at $128.
Regular vendor Hearnden Farms, Keyneton, had a larger run of 43 crossbred lambs make $115 and LJ&LJ Rowley, Myponga, had 31 at $114.
N&C Semmler Nominees, Flaxmans Valley, made $108 for 21 crossbred lambs and LJ&LJ Rowley run of 10 seconds $100.
Returns for hoggets were more subdued with IT&LM Pitt , Mannum, making $74 for four lambs and H&P Foletta, Mt Pleasant, had two crossbreds make $48.
Thereafter, returns fell away slightly, with K&M Rau, The Range, making $32 for three Dorpers.
Mutton returns continued to struggle and remained inline with other markets and Lucernbrae Props, Callington, made the top price for its 16 Merinos at $38.
Gabell & Harvey, Jervois, had five Merinos make $28 and MR&TK Paech, Tepko, had a larger run of 30 make the same return.
Ewes with a lamb at foot made $52 for 10 from IT&LM Pitt, Mannum. The Wiltipoll and Dorper ewes had Australian White lambs.
The same vendor made a further $44 for 24 ewes and lambs.
The cattle section recorded an uptick in returns for steers, after Mallbrae, Wild Horse Plains, made $1257 or $2.42 a kilogram for a 519 kilogram steer. The same vendor made $1217 or $$2.42/kg for a steer weighing 503kg, and a 500kg steer from the same vendor made $1051 or $2.10/kg.
KR Lowe & Ince MK, Brukunga, made $1222 or $2.44/kg for two 501kg steers, while Mountside Nominee, Charleston, made $1059 or $2/kg for a 529kg steer.
Steers in the 400-500kg weight range made between $747 and $978, with R Linton, Eden Valley, making $978 or $2/kg for a 489kg steer.
Heifers reached a top of $1266 or $2.04/kg for a 621kg heifer from KG&RE Dewell & Son, Mount Pleasant, and the same vendor made $1169 or $2.04 for a 573kg heifer.
In the cow section, Mountside Nominee made $1109 or 41.68/kg for one and MC&SE Loechel, Nildottie, made $740 or $1.44/kg for a 511kg cow and calf.
The next market will be on November 23.
Vanessa Binks
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
