THE solid prices for weaners continued at Carcoar for the Autumn Classic Weaner Sale where steers topped at $2510 a head last Friday.
Agents reported the market for weaners probably peaked during the sales held earlier in April, however the prices were still historically very strong and vendors went away happy with the results.
All up 3250 head were offered.
The sniff of a shower of rain at the start of the sale also helped keep prices for the top end of the steers buoyant.
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Meat and Livestock Australia reported the weaner steers were $60 to $80 a head cheaper, while the heifers were as much as $150 behind the previous weaner sale at Carcoar.
Weaner steers less than 280kg sold from $1420 to $2205, while those weighing 280kg to 330kg attracted bids from $1890 to $2330. Heavier weaners that tipped the scales at more than 330kg sold from $1880 to the top of the market at $2510.
The heifer market was noticeably softer, particularly in light of the top quality pens available for restockers.
Most weaner heifers weighing less than 280kg were snapped up for about $1600 to $2310 and the variation in quality and growth was a factor in the price gap between the top and bottom pricing.
Weaner heifers from 280kg to 330kg sold from $1400 to $2420.
A limited number of heavy weaner heifers (more than 330kg) ranged from $1610 to $2500.
A few pens of Angus and Bos Indicus yearling heifers sold from $2410 to $2440.
Graham Lewis, Cold Water Creek, Carcoar, sold a fantastic quality pen of eight- to 10-month-old Kywarra-blood Angus steers for $2510. The 404kg steers were also judged by Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange, Carcoar, manager Josh Stephens as the best presented steers.
The best presented pen of heifers, also judged by Mr Stephens, and sold by the Ashley Partnership, Bathurst, returned a price not far behind the steers at $2500.
The Ashley Partnership heifers were August/September drop, tipped the scales at 349kg and boasted Millah Murrah and Nanena breeding.
Another standout pen of weaner steers were offered by JA and JK Crombie. The 395kg Choice Angus-blood steers were first in the McCarron Cullinane run and sold for $2450.
Also making $2450 were 383kg Noonee-blood Angus weaner steers from LE Suttor and Sons, Bathurst.
Bannaby Angus, Taralga, sold 36 Angus heifers weighing 280kg for $2420.
For $2420, Ashley Partnership, Bathurst, sold 378kg weaner steers, as did Lockandra Partnership with 374kg Gilmandyke Angus-blood weaner steers.
The same money bought 369kg Angus weaner steers from Graham Lewis, Cold Water Creek, Carcoar, and 334kg Angus weaner steers from Joseph Saad, Oberon.
A lovely pen of Angus/Santa Gertrudis yearling heifers (431kg) from Dowling Investments Pty Ltd topped the yearling market at $2440.
Central Tablelands Livestock Agents Association conducted the sale.
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