Maitland female sale: Weaner heifers top $1000

Prices were firm for cows with calves, joined cows, and pregnancy-tested in calf heifers (PTIC), with PTIC cows down slightly and, conversely, weaner heifers up. 

A good line of 80 PTIC heifers sold to good competition with an average of $1100 and a top of $1300. 

PTIC cows aged 5 to 10 years were down $15, with 70 head ranging from $800 to $1400 and averaging out at $920. 

Prices were firm on a predominantly store-condition run of 200 cows and calves, which averaged $1300 and topped $1900. Plainer lots sold for cheaper. 

The weaner heifers, a run of 300 head ranging from 6 to 18-months in age, were in good condition and as such fetched about $15 extra on last sale, averaging $685 and topping at $1000.  

Joined cows were firm compared to the last sale, averaging $800 and topping $1170. 

Bowe and Lidbury reported a 100 per cent clearance rate with buyers in attendance were from Nyngan, Dubbo, Kempsey, Gloucester and Victoria. 

Victoria Park, Camden, sold 60 Angus cows and calves from two to 10 years old in store condition. 

Their top pens made $1500 and averaged $1400.

Cooreei Pty Ltd, Dungog, sold 14 Angus cows and calves for $1520 to John Watson of Gresford, and a pen of non-station-mated Angus heifers for $1000 to Chris Unicomb. 

Logan Leigh, Nabiac, sold 10-month old Angus heifers for $870 to Max Bailey, Singleton. 

Maitland female sale regulars B and M Duncan, of nearby East Seaham, sold 80 Angus weaner heifers, aged six to eight months, to a top of $700 to Frank Terezim of Woodville. 

The Hunter Valley has struggled through a run of dry weather with recent showers providing producers some relief. Sporadic showers are expected over the coming week.