Prices surged another nine cents a kilogram at the independent agents’ all breeds heifer sale of 2340 head at Hamilton to average about 171c – on par with early steer sales last week – or $502 a head.

The rising market saw the Wahroonga and Garrison feedlots compete vigorously for the Euro heifers, while restockers and backgrounders were keen on suitable Euro heifers and the Angus heifers.

Top money of 200c was set by Leon and Sally Wheeler, Condah, for a pen of 20 Shorthorn-Hereford heifers, 336kg, sold to an Edenhope district breeder. The pen returned $672 a head.

Other big earners included the opening pen of Angus from Gavin Harrip’s Cromlea herd at Hamilton that was snapped up for 181c by the Hayden family’s Buchan Station, Buchan, in East Gippsland.

These heifers, weighing 348kg, made the equivalent of $630.

“It’s very solid, very strong,” said Bernie Grant of LMB Linke. “The market is running 5-10c better than we thought because there is more competition.”

*Full wrap-up in the January 21 issue of Stock & Land.