PRICES firmed for most store cattle especially for the better lines of breeder cattle at the Gracemere prime and store sale held on April 5 with 1957 head yarded.
The market for prime cattle was a shade easier following the trends at other major centres last week.
The yarding was comprised of 828 steers, 240 cows, 831 heifers, 33 cows and calves and 25 bulls.
Steers to 200kg topped at 196c to average 160c, 200-300kg steers made 175c to average 161c, steers 300-400kg reached 169c to average 145c, 400-500kg steers hit 146c to average 141c, and those over 500kg peaked at 147c to average 138c.
Heifers to 200kg made 154c to average 129c, 200-300kg reached 151c to average 135c, heifers 300-400kg topped at 160c to average 131c, and those over 400kg hit 142c to average 120c.
Cows and calves peaked at $800 per unit to average $675.
Cows 320-450kg made 111c to average 85c, while those over 450kg topped at 146c to average 117c.
Bulls to 600kg reached 146c to average 117c, while those over 600kg made 121c to average 113c.
Dan Bishop, Figtree, Glenroy, sold a pen of Brahman-cross weaner steers for 168c, weighing 229kg to return $386 per head, while Gordon and Iris Frankish, Morinish, sold a pen of weaner steers to top at 196c, weighing 188 Kg to return $370p/h.
John and Yvonne Galea, Sarina, sold two pens of crossbred weaner steers for 168c weighing 301kg to return $505p/h, while Frank Bowman and family, Marlborough, sold Charbray-cross weaner steers to top at 167c, weighing 320kg to return $520p/h.
Ian Miller, Mijovi, Keppel Sands, sold a pen of Red Brahman cows and calves for $800 per unit, while Comanche Grazing Co, Lake Learmonth, Yaamba, sold 241 EU Accredited no-2 heifers to average 258kg at 141c to return $364p/h.
Jack Baker and family, Goovigen, sold a pen of Droughtmaster-cross weaner heifers to top at 141c weighing 233Kg to return $329p/h.
