Hamilton weaners to 199c/kg

The independent agents group who conducted the sale saw numbers offered at this annual event whittled down to 2600 head as most vendors held back their lighter drafts in the absence of northern buying interests that was suspected not to attend due to weather-related challenges.

Given these northern buying difficulties southern feedlot operators and restockers from Victoria's coastal belt which is enjoying one of its best seasons in decades contested the market of Angus and Angus-cross steers which was down on its advertised 3500 head.

Addressing an anxious crowd before selling was commenced Hamilton stock agent Warren Clarke said it was testimony to the depth and quality of the breeding and the outstanding management of these cattle that the presented yarding had come forward in such outstanding condition after having faced their own seasonal-related challenges.

But with an exceptional finish to the spring and a lot of early weaning Mr Clarke said that top end drafts had finished with more weight than had previously been achieved, and it was with this extra weight that delivered the satisfaction of the end result.

The first pen sold on the day was an entry by Chantwell Farms of Romsey. They sold a yard of 403kg EU-accredited Banquet-blood steers that made 189c/kg lwt or $761 a head.

These were sold to Thomas Foods International (TFI) of Murray Bridge, SA, while 26 EU-accredited Lawson-bld steers sold by Coffey Partnership of Port Fairy, 380kg also went on the TFI truck at 188c/kg lwt.

Thomas Foods was the major buyer of the EU-accredited lines.

TFI buyer Steve Chapman told Stock & Land his EU-accredited purchases had averaged 5-6c/kg more than his non-EU accredited lots.

This was as good as line-up of Angus steers as you couldn't as wish to see," Mr Chapman said.

"And they made values we expected to pay. Quality always sells well."