A VERY small crowd followed the sale of 1563 cattle at Matawhero yesterday and buyers from Hawke’s Bay were noticeably absent.

This had a negative effect on the sale of two-year steers and per kilogram rates were back on those reached at the last fixture.

While the softness and overall condition was not as good as at that sale, there were some well-grown lines and the results were totally consistent throughout the sale of that class.

Whereas the September sale produced estimated CPK rates of $2.40-$2.66/kgLW, Tuesday’s results were more like $2.27-$2.45/kgLW.

Best price for R2 steers was $1125 achieved by both R.F. Thompson (the largest vendor of R2 steers) and The Dymock Partnership.

The better-grown lots sold at $1000-$1090 and the more medium-style steers brought $880-$980 with a few at $790-$810.

A small entry of R3 steers sold well enough making $1080-$1190. Fewer than 300 R2 heifers were penned but sold steadily.

Meaty heifers from L. and S. Symes topped at $920 with other useful sorts making $800-$890 and good mediums $706-$780.

An attractive line of 36 well-bred Here/Fries-cross heifers aroused interest, selling at $800, an estimated $2.35/kgLW.CPK rates varied from $2.11-$2.21/kgLW with some just under $2.00/kgLW.

Yearlings sold particularly well although line size was quite small. Koura Station’s 22 AH-cross fetched $825, $3.11/kgLW, and $700-$780 was common. Many lots made better than $600 with a handful under that.

Buyers were keen for yearling heifers and paid up to $645 and the bulk of the class returned $510-$600. A few cows with calves brought $1025-$1055 and empty cows made $830.

The better yearling heifers were hard to buy under $535 with the best making $580-$600 and one top line made $645, $2.68/kgLW some lines being closer to $3.00/kgLW.

The top price of $645 was achieved by Ngahiwi Station, the heifers going to the King Country.

Manawatu and BOP buyers played a part on the older steers while locals entered the market on younger cattle.

Two year bulls made $1450-$1510 and yearling bulls, $837-$845 for solid lots and $560-$705 for lighter.

Sales included:

R3 steers: Riverflat Family Trust 10 at $1150; Terawhiti Farm 9 at $1190, 9 at $1080.

R2 steers: R.F. Thompson 34 Char at $1085, 43 same at $1080, 44 AH at $1070, 18 Hereford at $1125; Mahurangi Station 48 AH at $1090; Mangatarata Station 15 at $930, 5 at $1085; Dymock P/ship 18 at $1125; Katoa Station 25 at $870; Mutuera Station 8 at $900, 9 at $910; V. and J. Hill 13 H/Fr at $980; Riverview Farm 12 Fr at $880.

R2 heifers: L. and S. Symes 34 at $920, 25 at $870; Waimaka Station 36 H/Fr at $800, 11 Char at $770; Mangatarata Station 24 at $775; Dymock P/ship 19 AH at $850; Mutuera Station 13 at $706, 4 at $590; Katoa Station 7 at $620; A.J. Parker 11 AH at $780, 13 at $650.

Cows/calves: Ormond Valley P/ship 8 at $1025, 11 at $1045, 8 heifers/calves at $1055.

Yearling steers: Koura Station 22 at $825, 33 at $757; R.D. Blair 8 at $735, 7 at $640; L.M.J. White Trust 8 at $680, 7 at $680; A.J. Parker 8 at $700, 11 at $640, 7 at $570; Tarere 2 Trust 19 at $625, 18 at $590.

Yearling heifers: Kaitoto Station 25 at $600, 10 at $535; R.D. Blair 14 at $590; Koura Station 8 at $510; Est K.M. Dewes 13 at $600; L.M.J. White Trust 12 at $590; Ngahiwi Station 25 at $645.

Yearling bulls: Te Kautuku Station 7 at $560; Mangahanea Station 8 at $675, 17 at $837, 19 at $705; B. and J. P/ship 11 at $845.