Weanling sales continue to build

Marts: Weanling sales are settling into a firm trade as sales increase and numbers on offer build towards the seasonal peak over the coming weeks.

Returns from a selection of sales this week show that on average bulls are making 15% to 20% less than the same week last year. Weanling heifer prices are back around 10% on the beginning of September 2004.

Reports from the cross section of sales indicate that quality so far is not as good as this time last year, which can have a distorting effect on price averages. This is being reflected in a wider variation in prices. The quality weanlings are selling very well, with some very fancy prices being paid for the tops, but demand and prices on offer for plainer lots is quieter than last year.