PROCESSORS, feedlots and local buyers contended for the 1400 store cattle on offer in the muggy heat of the Euroa saleyards on Wednesday. However, with the absence of any bigger lines of cattle, fewer northern buyers attended on the day.
Landmark's Daniel Fischer said as a consequence prices were down by about $30-$50 a head compared to the recent premier weaner sales.
"We had lots of small lines of steers today and a lack of northern buying orders, but it was still a solid sale," Mr Fischer said.
Despite this, there was still a large buying gallery that helped to sustain young weaner steers at the 220-250 cents a kilogram mark.
Wangaratta-based feedlot, Dicksons, was successful on the better end of the steers and heifers, while Corcoran Parker Wangaratta, Rodwells Benalla and Hopkins River were all active in the black cattle.
Kyneton meatworks, Hardwicks, secured many of the heifers in the 280-350kg weight range, while locals soaked up the balance of the store sale yarding.
In the Angus steer section, Croxford Park opened the sale with seven Angus steers, 469kg, at $1020 or 217c/kg, which sold to Dicksons Feedlot.
This was one of the highest prices, although a single heavy beast made more than $1200.
Other vendors that fared well included M Barbra with 18 Angus steers, 365-425kg, from $855-$910 or 214-248c/kg; GA&ME Stone with 13 Angus steers, 372kg, at $900 or 241c/kg.
Volume vendor Worrough, Seymour, cleared 85 Angus steers and heifers, with 42 weighed Angus steers, 287-324kg, making $765-$775 or 239-266c/kg. A further 11 unweighed steers made $655. Their heifers topped at $655.
Farm manager James Miller, who helps to run his family's 300 cows, said he was happy with the result.
Jane Haygarth, Larapinta, Violet Town, was another satisfied vendor.
She cleared 54 Angus mixed-sex weaners, with the steers making $774-$825 or 247-256c/kg, and the heifers to $540.
After working as a lawyer, she's been running her late husband Angus' stud for the past few years.
"The prices were fantastic today," she said.
"Angus, as a breed, can be hard on fences, so I'll be able to afford to repair them now."
She runs 86 cows on the property and follows a low-stress management system.
"My husband always said not to stress the cattle. We don't have dogs and when we wean the calves, they are put in the yards so they get used to you," he said.
In the Hereford section, Karalee topped the market with 30 Hereford steers, 9-10 months, 355-429kg, at $845-$960 or 223-238c/kg.
Cows and calves topped at $1350 for four mixed-age Angus cows with Charolais calves-foot (CAF), account Rossmayne.
Mr Fischer said joined females were "buyable", topping at $1200 for a pen of second and third-calving Angus cows, depastured to Pert Angus bulls at $1175. The same vendor sold joined heifers to $1100.
Croxford Park topped the heifer section with 13 Angus heifers, 14-16 months, at $950 or 210c/kg, which sold to Hopkins River.
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Louise Preece
Journalist for Stock & Land.
Journalist for Stock & Land.
