Geelong livestock market report

CATTLE numbers were greatly reduced at this week’s Geelong sale as the recent good prices and a poor season start to have an effect on both supply and quality.
The yarding of 271 cattle saw values for bullocks five to 8 cents per kilogram dearer with the top price realising $1,961.00 or 265.0 cents per kilogram for bullocks sold on account of B Lugg of Morrisons.
Good quality cows sold firm to $1,541.05 although a greater number of lighter cows were presented than usual, with some restockers re-entering the market after being destocked for some time and boosted by the recent rain.
The long awaited rain was reasonably consistent throughout the region with reports of 10 to 35mm with the Surf Coast and Bellarine getting at least 20mm.
For those farmers who had some growth from the previous 10mm two weeks ago, this rain event was a great boost to any new growth that had survived last week’s heat.
On elevated exposed ground, much of the previous reshoot had perished before the recent rains arrived.
Many farmers are hoping that this is the autumn break that will be followed up with further rains over Easter to get some pasture growth while the weather is still mild.
All classes of veal were five to 8 cents per kilogram dearer on last sale rates. Steer veal (milk)
Steer veal (grass) Heifer veal (milk) Heifer veal (grass) selling to 332.0 cents per kilogram selling to 321.0 cents per kilogram selling to 332.0 cents per kilogram selling to 295.0 cents per kilogram The increased yarding of 2,368 sheep and lambs saw values for best quality lambs $10 to $12 per head dearer with light lambs $2 to $4 cheaper and two-tooth, along with good quality sheep firm, light sheep were $5 to $8 per head cheaper.
Best prime lambs sold to $146 each for a draft of 18 lambs sold on account of TL & SA Anderson of Balliang. OTHER QUOTATIONS: Two Tooth – $98 Cross Bred Wethers – $95 Cross Bred Ewes – $90 Merino Wethers – $62 Merino Ewes – $58