HEAVY cattle sold to solid rates at the Colac store sale today, but lighter weights failed to attract similar competition.
Charles Stewart auctioneer Jamie McConachy said cattle suitable to feed, (350 kilograms-plus), drew “extreme” rates.
“But those lighter cattle that were not suitable to feed - in the 250 to 300kg range - were a little bit disappointing to be honest,” he said.
“Buyers might have been after a quicker turnover…I can’t explain it; I would have thought they were a good buy.”
Agents penned a larger than expected 2000 head for the monthly sale.
Heavier cattle topped at $1170 a head, and mostly made a live weight equivalent of 210-230 cents/kg.
Despite the cheaper rates on the lighter cattle, there was still a strong contingent of buyers including Hopkins River Beef, Thomas Food International (TFI) and Robert Woodward for the Garrison Feedlot. Processors were also active on the day.
One of the volume buyers was Eddie Hams, Landmark Leongatha, who secured 400 head for South Gippsland finishers. He was selecting all weights of cattle, paying from $430 up to $900.
“The cattle were of excellent quality, but I would say prices were easier on some cattle…and it was cheaper than Ballarat last week,” he said.
The top-priced steers at $1170 were sold by Woodrowvale Pastoral Co, Elliminyt, for 15 Charolais steers, 12-15 months, Mt William-blood, 504kg.
The same vendor sold another 19, weighing 427kg, at $990. Both pens were secured by cattle buyer Ron Goff.
The Angus steers topped at $1060 on a pen of nine, 16-18 months, Te Mania-bld, 487kg, account Martin Adams and Prue McLean, Johanna.
The same vendor topped the heifer section at $950 for a pen of nine Angus steers, 481kg, or 197c/kg.
