Dry sees caution in West

Good-sized crowds were present at both markets but there was a lot of apprehension, with potential restocker buying support erring on the side of caution, especially on lines of long-term improver stock.

It is a shame, given the optimism going forward for both prime cattle and prime lamb prices.

The market for Merino breeding ewes in particular found the going tough at Wycheproof after a very successful sale the week before at Hay, NSW.

There a solid base of sales made in the $140-$165-a-head price bracket at Hay following a handful of top-end sales that made from $170 to a top of $196 a head.

It's not that anyone would expect Mallee sheep to match Riverina prices, especially those achieved at Hay's annual feature sale.

But most would have expected that the solid base of inquiry that prevailed at Hay might have reconvened at Wycheproof just one week later.

But this was not the case and, according to Elders Wycheproof branch manager Jim Coffey, buyers were able to purchase young Merino ewes in his sale at prices of $100-$120 a head, which was $20-$30 under expectation.

It was also disappointing to find that previous West Wimmera, South West and South Australian support did not re-commit with any great purpose at Wycheproof.

While buyers from these areas had not purchased any great numbers in the past, they had bid on a lot of sheep in a statement in support of the North West Victorian Regional Biosecurity Area which has operated for the past four markets.

It is important to note that a large portion of the Wycheproof yarding had lifetime residence of a biosecurity area either in the North West or the Riverina while a reasonable portion was also OJD-vaccinated.

While the market for Merino breeders was tough, the competition and inquiry extended towards crossbred sheep and Merino wether lambs was encouraging.

In fact, on no fewer than three occasions the previous best of $170 a head was either equalled or bettered for young 1.5-year-old ewes, suggesting buying had become even more specific for the very best presented and prepared crossbreds.

This was the case in point for pens down the line as well, where a good number of sales were written at $140-$160 and the first of the year's ewe lambs, May-drop, made to $134 a head off-shears.

A similar scenario played out at Hamilton, where demand for short-term finisher cattle met expected prices but the balance of the market was well off the pace.

This was especially the case for lighter spring-drop steers and heifers, which despite the promising autumn break had wintered poorly through the cold and dry months of July and August.

Here again long-distance travellers to this market were rare, especially those from the east in Gippsland where the season was much more assured.

Hamilton agent Bernie Grant, LMB Linke, said the absence of a soaking rain in September had turned South West restockers cautious.

The main focus of demand at Hamilton was for cattle with advanced condition that could get into a feedlot or a processor before the end of spring.

These cattle, be they steers or heifers, met good inquiry, but anything longer-term (including cows and calves) attracted limited inquiry.