EXPECTATIONS of surging “mainland” store cattle prices were delivered at the opening Tasmanian weaner sales at Powranna on Thursday.
Prices soared to trade at 250-280 cents a kilogram for the vast majority of steer penning before nudging 300c/kg on the lighter-end drafts.
The majority of the steer sales in the Roberts Ltd-sale achieved prices of $750 to $900 a head before topping at $960.
Younger calves weighing 200-250kg made $540-$650.
One of the largest contingents of mainland buyers attended the sale of 3000.
However their appetite to purchase surfaced late in the steer run when prices dipped below $650, while their presence underpinned a softer than expected heifer demand which traded on rates of 180-200c/kg.
Mainland restocker-purchased cattle were trucked to Yea, Bendigo and Leongatha.
However major lot feeder competition was not offered on the day.
Murray Arnel
Stock store analyst for Stock & Land.
Stock store analyst for Stock & Land.
