PRICES were up across categories at Wodonga’s final store sale for the year, with steers selling to 259c/kg and heifers reaching prices over 200c/kg.
While last week’s sale was strong, yesterday’s was remarkable for the yarding of 1418 and 94 calves.
A draft of well-presented mostly Poll Herefords and some black baldies from WA Duffy, Brae Springs, Walla Walla, NSW, kicked off the sale.
The 34 cow and calf units and 96 joined females marked the complete dispersal of Brae Springs’ females, after about 50 years of breeding.
A pen of 6 x 6 first and second calver Poll Hereford cows, which had been redepastured to Poll Hereford bull, sold to $1280, which was the top-price for the Brae Springs’ cows and calves. The units averaged $1120.
Their joined females sold to $1020, av $863.
Paull & Scollard’s Steven Paull said Wodonga didn’t see many dispersals of such well-bred and well-presented Poll Hereford herds; and they strong prices they fetched was thanks to restockers having to compete with processors to buy them, which led to a favourable outcome for the vendor.
The sale’s top-priced cow and calf units were 21 Hereford second caving cows with two month-old calves at-foot (CAF) by Alpine Angus bulls that made $1300.
The strong competition and process continued to the steers thanks to competition from a processor, commission buyers and Livestock Shipping Services. This drove prices for heavier steers close to and in some cases above 200c/kg.
Boralma Lodge consigned 100 steers, most of which were well-bred Angus and some black baldies and Poll Herefords. A pen of 24 of its Angus steers achieved the top steer price of the sale of $910 a head. These steers had an av weight of 457 kilograms, so made 199c/kg live weight. Some of their lighter paddock mates made up to 204c/kg, which was for a pen of 15 Angus steers, av weight 416kg, purchased by Jindalee.
Mitchell Pastoral of Bethanga sold 65 Angus steers, April/May 2014 drop, Rennylea and Cascade bloods. The draft topped at $840 for a pen of six, av 438kg, purchased by Jindalee.
Alan Mitchell was happy with this price, as well as the $785 paid for 36 of the company’s steers, av 361kg and $740 for 23 steers, av 332kg, saying that the strong prices probably reflected recent rain in the area which was seeing some producers retain their stock.
ACAM of Myrtleford consigned 121 Angus steers, Alpine Angus and Black Star blds. Its top 84 steers had av weights 310-328kg, and made $735-$745. Its draft also included 22 Angus and black baldies, 313kg, that made $740 and 15 Angus, 267kg, that made $625, or the equivalent of 234c/kg.
Brewer Fischer Partnership sold 41 Poll Hereford steers, EU accredited and Wirruna bld, to strong competition; fetching $560-$712/head and returning 239-256c/kg.
These strong prices per kilogram was exceeded by a pen of 38 Angus steers, Alpine Angus blood, 261kg that made $675, or the equivalent of 259c/kg.
Paull and Scollard director Steve Paull said most cattle were about 20c/kg dearer and in some places more than last week.
“The sale was extremely good and there were less cattle than previous sales mainly because there has been rain and people have chosen to retain cattle.”
He said buyers including processors and exporters were keen to secure animals in anticipation that demand might increase in the new year.
Hiefers, Mr Paull said, mostly sold at prices equivalent to 165-195c/kg.
Mitchell Pastoral also sold 36 Angus heifers that made $610-$670, or the equivalent of 188-195c/kg.
The best heifers made more than 200c/kg, with a pen of 19 Charolais-cross heifers, 268kg, consigned by the Carkeek family, selling for $566, or 211c/k).
