There were only 85 cattle in total at Hamilton fat cattle market due to lower prices shown during the week. The best bulls sold up to $2.20 per kg, averaging $2.10 being being 15-20 cents cheaper on the sale a fortnight ago. A total of 49 trade cattle were presented with buying interest much softer. Killable trade heifers sold from $1.90 to $2.02, 30-40 cents cheaper. Steers to the trade and feed lotters sold from $2.21-$2.47, being the least affected with the lower prices, but still 20 cents cheaper. Manufacturing types sold from $1.70-$1.90. A total 32 cows were offered, cows sold at much lower rates on a fortnight ago, with cows being 20-30 cents cheaper for heavy beef bred cows. Good heavy beef bred cows sold from $1.60-$1.85. 

ELDERS

Bulls: S Ferrier, Coleraine, hfd, 985kg, 216cents, $2127; S Ferrier, Coleraine, hfd, 940, 200, $1880

Steers: C Cutler & R Cherry, Byaduk, santa, 342, 170, $582

Heifers: Western District Past Co, Willaura, hfd, 626, 190, $1189; C Cutler & R Cherry, Byaduk, santa, 327, 130, $425

Cows: Western District Past Co, Willaura, hfd, 875, 164, $1435; S Ferrier, Coleraine, s/h, 767, 164, $1257; S Ferrier, Coleraine, s/h, 570, 185, $1054; S Ferrier, Coleraine, s/h, 586, 160, $938

LANDMARK

Bulls: E Hiscock, Digby, hfd, 1035, 220, $2277; R & C Menzel, Yatchaw, hfd, 770, 205, $1435

Steers: R & C Menzel, Yatchaw, hfd, 790, 210, $1659; B Marson, Grassdale, ang, 555, 240, $1332; Grassdale Est, Grassdale, ang, 549, 240, $1318; E Hiscock, Digby, ang, 518, 247, $1279

Cows: R & C Menzel, Yatchaw, hfd, 669, 168, $1124; E Hiscock, Digby, hfd, 619, 180, $1114

SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS LIVESTOCK

Cows: M & M Egan, Tarrayoukyan, ang, 660, 180, $1188; M & M Egan, Tarrayoukyan, ang x, 500, 150, $750

L.M.B. LIVESTOCK

Heifers: S & L Willder, Yulecart, hfd x, 380, 200, $760

Cows: S & L Willder, Yulecart, ang, 535, 150, $802

KEITH P. LANYON PTY LTD

Steers: A McFarlane, Yulecart, simm x, 555, 240, $1332

Heifers: A MCFarlane, Yulecart, simm x, 617, 202, $1246

March 14. Yarding: 6357. Change: 2279.

There was a lift in sheep numbers to total 6557 head, 2279 head more. Quality was again mixed with most weights and grades on offer to a regular field of buyers. The yarding was made up of some good quality crossbred ewes, Merino wethers and Merino ewes with the average weight again less due to the continuing dry conditions and more 1 score sheep offered. The market did fluctuate as the heavy crossbred sheep sold unchanged, Merino wethers of medium to heavy weight sold $1 to $3/head easier, medium weight ewes were generally firm to $3/head dearer and the lighter weight sheep sold to less demand from $5 to $10/head cheaper. There was limited restocker interest but they did purchase crossbred ewes for $73, Merino ewes with wool for $64 and Merino wethers from $68 to $78/head. Very light 1 score sheep sold from $5 to $56, light weight 1 and 2 scores sold between $38 to $71/head as average costs varied from 320c to 350c/kg cwt. Medium weight 2 and 3 score sheep sold from $77 to $116/head as Merino ewe mutton averaged 402c and the crossbred ewe mutton 380c/kg cwt. Heavy crossbred ewes, 3 and 4 score, sold from $105 to the market top of $150 to average an estimated 390c and heavy Merino ewes made $107 to $115/head, averaging 415c/kg cwt. Medium weight drafts of Merino wethers sold from $78 to $120 with heavier weight wether pens making from $108 to $138/head as they averaged between 410c and 425c/kg cwt. Heavy hoggets sold to $130 and crossbred wethers reached $120/head. Rams of all breeds sold from $2 up to $82/head. Please note, that the sheep market will now be combined with the lamb market as of next Wednesday.

SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS LIVESTOCK 

XB Ewes: Rd & Jm Mickel, Coleraine, $130; K Mcarthur, Dunkeld, $130; A Percy, Macarthur, $125; C & K Walker, Warrayure, $118; K Mcarthur, Dunkeld, $118; Rd & Jm Mickel, Coleraine, $116; A Percy, Macarthur, $115; Chatsworth House, Chatsworth, $115; Rd & Jm Mickel, Coleraine, $115; C & K Walker, Warrayure, $112; A Percy, Macarthur, $104.

Merino Ewes: Toolang Pastoral Co, Wannon, $106; Toolang Pastoral Co, Wannon, $83.

XB Rams: Rd & Jm Mickel, Coleraine, $82; A Percy, Macarthur, $76.

KERR & CO LIVESTOCK PTY LTD 

X/B Ewes: C N Haby, Bolwarra $140; G & J Addinsall, Yulecart $135; T Row, Tarranlea $130; P & J Croft, Drumborg $130; G & J Addinsall, Yulecart $128; G &W Habel, Hawkesdale $115; Sth Mokanger, Cavendish $114: C N Haby, Bolwarra $114

Merino Ewes: Ulva Lea, Hamilton $115/$10

L.M.B. LIVESTOCK

XB Ewes: Haven Park Ent., Wando Vale, $150; D Linke, Dunkeld, $143; Haven Park Ent, Wando Vale, $141; A McNaughton, Cavendish, $130; P & A O'Keefe, Gritjurk, $127

Merino Wethers: A Baker, Vic Valley, $138; A Baker, Vic Valley, $120

Merino Ewes: A & Y Astbury, Dergholm, $116; J & C Luhrs, Cavendish, $107

XB Rams: A McNaughton, Cavendish, $78; I & K O'Connell, Hamilton, $54

J.M. ELLIS & CO PTY LTD

XB Ewes: R. J. & L. A. Rhook, Condah, $122; Mastan Farms, Hensley Park, $122; Myonagh Past., Dunkeld, $115;

Merino Wethers: I. & B. Uebergang, Tarrington, $116; S. J. & S. P. Francis, Branxholme, $115; B. J. & C. A. Duggan, Balmoral, $93;

Merino Ewes: Dungloe Partnership, Coojar, $93;

Rams : South Kolor, Penshurst, $78; S. J. & S. P. Francis, Branxholme, $78; Mastan Farms, Hensley Park, $78;

LANDMARK

XB Ewes: Newlyn Pastoral, Codrington, $140. B & JM Iredell, Hamilton, $130. Newlyn Pastoral, Codrington, $125. Newlyn Pastoral, Codrington, $108.

Mer Wths: Kanawalla Pastoral, Hensley Park, $78.

W/S Rams: Newlyn Pastoral, Codrington, $63.

ELDERS RURAL SERVICES

XB Wths: IH, AE & PM Grey, Gringegalgona, $130; IH, AE & PM Grey, Gringegalgona, $115; AS & LD Edwards, Caramut, $115;

XB Ewes: AC Tierney, Nareen, $96; Langowan, Branxholme, $90; Langowan, Branxholme, $86; A Beavis, Heywood, $73;

Mer Wths: IH, AE & PM Grey, Gringegalgona, $125; S & H Waters, Coojar, $125; IH, AE & PM Grey, Gringegalgona, $112; Langowan, Branxholme, $112; VC Gellert & Sons, Glenthompson, $90; VC Gellert & Sons, Glenthompson, $78;

Mer Ewes: JW & LC Huf, Cavendish, $111; JB & MM Tierney, Nareen, $83; N & F Fitzgerald, Tarrenlea, $83; JW & LC Huf, Cavendish, $81; IH, AE & PM Grey, Gringegalgona, $68; Langowan, Branxholme, $68; IH, AE & PM Grey, Gringegalgona, $65; N & F Fitzgerald, Tarrenlea, $61;

KEITH P LANYON P/L

X/B Ewes: L.V. Walkenhorst, Tabor, $118; L.V. Walkenhorst, Tabor, $88; N & S. Kruger, Tabor, $88; Glendell, Croxton East, $88; L.V. Walkenhorst, Tabor, $53

Merino Ewes- R. Linke, Tarrington, $80; R. Linke, Tarrington, $64; N & S. Kruger, Tabor, $64

X/B Wethers: Jnr Rentsch, Byaduk, $120

X/B Rams: N & S. Kruger, Tabor, $75

Merino Rams: N & S. Kruger, Tabor, $73

March 13. Yarding: 9146. Change: 1424.

Lamb numbers at Hamilton increased to a total of 9,146 sold, which was 1,424 head more on last week. The usual buying gallery attended, with not all operating fully in a mostly average to good quality yarding. In the offering there was a limited supply of heavier lambs, with some good quality pens of heavy trade to medium trade weights down to plainer unfinished lambs suiting processors and store buyers. Restockers and feeders did compete for lambs during the market paying from $91 up to $142, lighter lots from $10 to $52 and light Merino lambs from $28 to $54/head. Competition did remain steady with light weight, light trade and the medium trade weight lambs selling from firm to a dearer trend of $3, with the heavy lambs unchanged and the extra heavy lambs $2 to $4/head easier. The fewer number of unshorn lambs sold to a top of $158 and Merino lambs sold from $73 to $100/head as their costs ranged from 520c to 580c/kg cwt. Very light lambs in the sale made between $5 and $74/head due to an improvement in demand. Light weight 2 score lambs (13-16kg) to the processors made $82 to $118 averaging 670c, light trade weight lambs (17-20kg) 2 and 3 scores sold from $114 to $140/head averaging close to 710c/kg cwt. The medium trade weight 3 score lambs (21-22kg) sold from $142 to $158 and the heavy trade weight drafts of 3 and 4 scores (23-24kg) sold between $148 to $168/head as the overall average was an estimated 675c/kg cwt. Heavy lambs of 3 and 4 scores (25- 26kg) sold from $160 to $172 to average close to 650c. Please note next week’s Wednesday market will be a combined sale of the sheep and lambs.

SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS LIVESTOCK

XB Lambs: Estate Jb Christie, Byaduk, $160; Estate Jb Christie, Byaduk, $148; J & J Glare, Tarrone, $146; Gl & Ej Glasgow, Woolsthorpe, $142; C Hogan, Moutajup, $135; S Stanley, Digby, $134; S Stanley, Digby, $132;; S Stanley, Digby, $126; Gl & Ej Glasgow, Woolsthorpe, $124.

KERR & CO LIVESTOCK PTY LTD.

Lambs: G & J Hocking, St Helens $172; Weerangourt, Byaduk $172/$170; G & J Hocking, St Helens $168; Glenandera, Penshurst $166; Dept of Primary Industries, Mt Napier $166/$163; P & S Henry, Yulecart $162; T Merrett, Heywood $158; B & A Mirtschin, Hawkesdale $156; Redwoods P’Ship, Bulart $154; P & S Henry, Yulecart $150; Glenandera, Penshurst $148; G & J Hocking, St Helens $148; Carinea, Penshurst $145; Go Getta Spicer, Glenthompson $142; W & A Steele, Yulecart $142; B & A Mirtschin, Hawkesdale $140; Redwoods P’Ship, Bulart $140; J W J Kinnealy, Penshurst $138

L.M.B. LIVESTOCK

XB Lambs: J & C Roads, Penshurst, $180; B, P, J & A Heazlewood, Penshurst, $165; J & T Phillips, Glenthompson, $163; D & A McNaughton, Cavendish, $160; Back Creek P/ship, Dunkeld, $158; M Leeson, Heywood, $155; C & B Waters, Wannon, $150; J & S Austin, Tarrington, $150, J Sparrow, Nth Byaduk, $147; D & L Watt, Coleraine, $145; Dunkeld P/co, Dunkeld, $135

J.M. ELLIS & CO PTY LTD

XB Lambs: Camp Creek, Branxholme, $188; J. & H. Jenkinson, Glenthompson, $178; A. & K. Nagorcka, Yatchaw, $175; Hillcrest, Buckley Swamp, $172; A. & K. Nagorcka, Yatchaw, $169; J. & H. Henkinson, Glenthompson, $167; F.M. McMeel, Buckley Swamp, $166; B. & T. Pastoral, Merino, $165; Mariposa Family Trust, Nigretta, $160; Camp Creek, Branxholme, $159; Red Hill, Glenthompson, $156; SM & PJ Jury, Croxton East, $152; Brierly, Morgiana, $148; P. & C. Quinn, Bulart, $143; M. & G. Crow, Port Fairy, $136. Woolly XB Lambs: Bensch Farming, Dunkeld, $148. Merino Lambs: John Haydon P’Ship, Glenthompson, $78.

LANDMARK

XB Lambs: LA & LR Toohey, Tarrington, $162. LA & LR Toohey, Tarrington, $154. DJ &CL Holmes, Grassdale, $146. JRI Partnership, Merino, $146. DJ & CL Holmes, Grassdale, $134. B Marson, Grassdale, $130. B Marson, Grassdale, $128. JRI Partnership, Merino, $125. S & L Parker, Mortlake, $125. J Crawford, Wannon, $125. JRI Partnership, Merino, $113. B Marson, Grassdale, $112.

XB Two Tooths: JRI Partnership, Merino, $114. B Humphries, casterton, $95.

ELDERS RURAL SERVICES

Lambs: Craig Johnstone, Mt Richmond, $168; CJ & KA Baulch, Cavendish, $151; LR & RL Kelly, Macarthur, $150; KJ, MJ & CJ Myers, Morgiana, $148; AJ Cocks, Narrawong, $146; J & L Doyle, Cape Bridgewater, $145; CJ & KA Baulch, Cavendish, $144; LR & RL Kelly, Macarthur, $140; R Troeth, Coleraine, $134; RL & KM Ferrier, Coleraine, $132; J & L Doyle, Cape Bridgewater, $130; AJ Cocks, Narrawong, $128; DL & KL Croser, Penola, $125; DL & KL Croser, Penola, $124; AS & LD Edward, Caramut, $120; TJ Thomson, Gorae, $120; S Dean, Macarthur, $116.50; AJ Sealy, Paschendale, $114; S Dean, Macarthur, $112; VC Gellert & Sons, Glenthompson, $105; DL & KL Croser, Penola, $104; AS & LD Edward, Caramut, $100; R Troeth, Coleraine, $100; Croydon, Condah, $100;

Woolly Lambs: TJ Thomson, Gorae, $143; Langowan, Branxholme, $143; Langowan, Branxholme, $135; R Troeth, Coleraine, $125.50; Langowan, Branxholme, $114;

KEITH P LANYON P/L

X/B Lambs- N & S. Kruger, Tabor, $172; N & S. Kruger, Tabor, $169; Glendell, Croxton East, $155; A. McFarlane, Branxholme, $134; A. McFarlane, Branxholme, $126; R & A. Ridley, Gorae, $125; P. Keane, Southern Cross, $123

X/B 2T- Jnr Rentsch, Byaduk, $132

March 14. Yarding: 287. Change: down 40.

Following the decrease in prices at other markets over recent weeks and no market here last week, the decline compared to two weeks ago seemed quite severe. Grown steers eased 40c to 50c, grown heifers sold 30c to 50c lower and cows made 10c to 30c/kg less. The vealers were unchanged in prices for the better quality, but plain quality and majority of yearlings were equal to cheaper. The usual buyers, plus an additional restocker, operated on the plain to good quality yarding that comprised 37 grown steers, 33 grown heifers, 125 young cattle, 80 cows and 12 bulls. The good quality vealers to processors sold from 270c to 280c, with plain quality making from 180c to 200c/kg, and these were purchased by restockers. The few C muscled yearlings purchased by processors were all heifers, receiving from 222c and 230c, while restockers collected the bulk of the yearlings, as they paid from 198c to 280c/kg. Grown steers were in lean condition, with the C2 and C3 grades making 180c, 199c, 212c and 225c/kg. Restockers paid 190c, 194c, 209c and 220c/kg. The C2 and C3 grown heifers sold from 170c to 190c and the top price of 222c/kg was paid for four C2s. Just a few better covered beef cows came forward and these sold for 170c, 180c and 200c/kg. The D2 cows made 127c, 136c and 140c, with D1 cows making from 130c to 150c and restockers paid to 165c/kg.

WVLX Mortlake Prime Cattle, Monday

1 Southern Grampians Livestock; 2 Charles Stewart Nash McVilly; 3 JM Ellis; 4 Ray White; 5 Rodwells; 6 Charles Stewart & Co.; 7 Elders Kerr & Co.; 8 HF Richardson; 9 LMB Livestock; 10 Landmark

Camperdown Cattle, Tuesday

1 Charles Stewart & Co; 2 Elders; 3 Brian O’Halloran & Co; 4 Charles Stewart, Nash & McVilly

Warrnambool Cattle, Wednesday

Agent, Cattle, Sheep, Calves, Dairies

Brian O’Halloran 1, 1, 2, 2

J & J Kelly 4, 3, 3, 1

Landmark 3, 4, 1, 3

SKB Rodwells 2, 2, 4, 4

Hamilton Lambs and Sheep, Wednesday

1 Landmark; 2 Elders; 3 Keith P Lanyon P/L; 4 Southern Grampians L/S; 5 Kerr & Co; 6 LMB Livestock; 7 JM Ellis & Co

Hamilton Cattle, Friday

1 LMB Livestock; 2 Keith P Lanyon P/L; 3 Kerr & Co; 4 Elders; 5 Landmark; 6 Southern Grampians L/S; 7 JM Ellis & Co