MOUNT Pleasant market followed easing lamb price trends on Thursday last week, after restricted competition caused returns to fall away by about $20 a head.
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A larger yarding of 2000 sheep and lambs, and 207 cattle still attracted solid competition with a run of 25 crossbred lambs from Argent & Johnson, Eden Valley, making $168.
Returns remained stable throughout the top end of the market, with CJ&RL VanDissel, Springton, making $154 for seven Suffolk lambs.
A larger run of 29 crossbreds from J Harkness, Flaxley, made $150, while B&C Borrett, Langhorne Creek, had12 make $148.
Returns for hoggets were subdued but a run of 18 crossbreds from Bremer Hill, Harrogate, made $62.
Mutton interest reduced and caused a fluctuation in price, with Smyth Road Irrigation, Tanunda, making $48 for seven Dorpers and Brown Farming Enterprises, Keyneton, had two wethers make $36.
Nutrien Fawcett Livestock agent Ashley Fawcett said as feed sources reduce and dry conditions prevailed, larger numbers of stock were hitting yards across the state.
"Encouraging a few people to lighten off numbers and also new vendors have begun selling in the region," he said.
Steers reached a top of $1780 or $2.60 a kilogram for a 685-kilogram steer from Bendleby Angus, Springton, while Ames Pastoral Pty Ltd, Springton, had two 673kg steers make $1750 or $2.60/kg.
H Seager & Co, Mount Pleasant, had three 658kg steers make $1580 or $2.40/kg.
In the 500-600kg section, CM Bond, Walker Flat, made $1587 or $2.70 for a 588kg steer while the same vendor made $1463 or $2.60 for a 563kg steer.
Lighter types made $410 to $845.
Heifers reached a top of $1457 or $2.58/kg for a 565kg heifer from CM Bond, they also made $1442 or $2.58/kg for a 559kg heifer.
In the cow section, Eringa Farming Co Trust, Kuitpo, made $1857 or $2.25/kg for a 825kg cow, while Tinline Park, Mount Torrens, made $1786 or $2.28/kg for a 783kg cow.
