HEALTHY demand and strong prices made for a successful and sociable day at the Margaret River saleyards on Friday, as Elders conducted its annual store cattle sale.
Featured among the 280 cattle yarded was the annual draft of first cross steers and heifers on account of Peter and Trina Duggan of Cowaramup.
These were aged 8-14 months and bred from Monterey genetics.
The cattle were in good fresh store condition due to the current good season.
The first cross Angus Friesian heifers bucket-reared and guaranteed unmated were keenly sought after by past and new buyers, who appreciated the breeding and quality on offer.
The top-priced pen went to repeat buyers, OM Dunnet and Co of Nannup for $1410 (two pens).
Manjimup buyers A and W Ryan were also active on all pens, securing two lines at a top of $1390.
Average price for the Duggans' 52 heifers was a commendable $1357.
Also offered in the first cross unmated Angus Friesian heifer yarding was a line from Graham Rowe, which made $1310 and was purchased by OM Dunnet and Co.
Danny and Andrea Campbell sold three heifers at $1000 a head to LM and EA Crouch, Nannup, who were active on all pens of heifers offered.
The yarding of Angus Friesian steers followed on from the heifers and so did the demand.
P and T Duggan yarded 49 steers, 8-14 months of age, with strong support from local and adjoining area buyers, securing some good lines of steers.
Mal Barrett, from Elders Boyanup, purchased three pens to a high of $740 which included one pen of steers from HD Harrison and Co making $730. Local buyer Anthony Copeland acquired some good steers on the doorstep and bought three lines to a top of $700.
The 180 Friesian and Friesian cross steers on offer were predominantly in the six to 12 months of age bracket with the exception of BB and SH Cooling who sold 20 steers 14 to 16 months old.
These were some of the best bred and presented steers seen this year, with the tops making $705 to local buyer Gary Lee and the seconds at $570 to Ken Reynolds from Elders Waroona.
Larry Brennen offered a good consignment of dairy steers with the tops of these selling for $428 to a local purchaser.
Gary Rowe also had some forward store older Friesian steers that sold to a top of $524 to Ken Reynolds from Elders Waroona.
The Friesian Jersey cross steers sold to a high of $315 with buyers snapping up the odd pen at $180 for some younger drafts.
