'Berrico' weaners top at $580 at Gloucester

The 1500 head yarding of young cattle sold to a full clearance and Bowe and Lidbury livestock agent, Michael Easey, Gloucester, said the quality and condition of the yarding was above previous sales.

"The weaners were of very good quality and were of outstanding condition," Mr Easey said.

"We had a great range of buyers at the sale, there was a great crowd of people from Victoria, Parkes, Blayney, Bathurst, Walcha, Armi-dale, Taree, Kempsey, Maitland and the general Gloucester area," he said.

"As for the market trend, the heavy end of the sale sold firm and restocker heifers sold a touch cheaper."

Being a combined sale, the "Berrico" weaners were sold before the rest of the yarding.

Offering about 800 weaners, Jeff and Lyn Flack, from "Berrico", near Gloucester, took out the top prices for the sale.

A yarding of 500 Berrico weaner steers to 12 months, weighing 220 to 320 kilograms, sold from $280 to $580.

"Berrico" also offered 330 weaner heifers, six to 12 months, weighing between 225kg and 312kg, that sold from $240 to $550.

The remaining yarding of 500 weaner steers, six to 12 months, weighing 200kg to 300kg, sold from $250 to $510.

A yarding of 304 weaner heifers, six to 10 months, 180kg and 280kg, sold from $180 to $450.

John Jackson, "Jackson Ag", Armidale, bought 168 "Berrico" Charolais-cross weaner steers for an average of $540 and top of $580.

Mr Easey said the top price of $580 was equal to about 197 cents a kilogram on the weaner steers.

Denver and Cathy Webb, Gloucester, bought 34 "Berrico" weaner heifers for a top of $550.

Jim Dickson, Gloucester, sold 50 Angus weaner steers to the K. and J. Group, Congewai Valley, for $480 and Gary Yates, Craven Creek, sold 35 Angus steers for $480.

The sale was conducted by Bowe and Lidbury, Gloucester.