Heifers sell best as trade winds down

HEIFER prices showed further gains at the factories this week, moving ahead of the steers in both demand and price, as intake of the females slipped behind year earlier levels and orders continued strong.

Gains of 3 to 6 cent/kg (1p or 2p/lb) were achieved for the quality heifers this week.

Similar gains were made for steers aged under 30 months at some of the processors, but most processors maintained prices at last week’s rates, and some did not quote at all for cattle this week.