FEEDLOT buyers chasing quality cattle put a stable floor price in the market at the Hamilton Store Sale today where prices peaked at 202cents per kilogram for the 2200 head yarding.
The sale had a reasonable climb on the January Western District store sales with a 5 to 10cents rise on heavier, well-bred cattle that sold from 165 to 202c/kg.
The top price was paid by Thomas Foods International livestock buyer Steve Chapman for two pens of 59 Angus steers, weighing 377kg and 362kg, 16 month-old, by Weeran bulls sold by Peter and Anna Delany of Murroa East Pastoral, Hamilton.
Murroa East offered 75 grown steers that sold to the sale high and nabbed the second highest price paid for a pen of 16 Angus steers weighing 413kg that went to Elders, Mount Gambier.
A large portion of weaner cattle that were held-over from the January weaner sales due to price concerns were on reinjected on the market, including Bob Randell and his sons Sam and Robin from Breakaway Creek who sold 270 weaner steers and heifers.
The Randell’s sold 160 EU accredited Hereford steers, by Glendan Park, Golf Hill and Ennerdale bulls to 192c/kg for 40 steers weighing 288kg, and av $187c/kg.
The 110 heifers, with the same bloodlines, sold to 151c/kg for a weighing 267kg, with the offering av 145.5c/kg.
“The prices were what we expected with the steers selling well while the heifers job was ordinary,” Mr Randell said.
He believed the lulled fat market prices had impacted the sale and reduced competition.
The buying strength was shallow and restricted predominantly to feedlot buyers with TFI, Rodwell Horsham's Wayne Driscoll , livestock buyer Peter Tuohey and Hells Gate all strong, while local restockers were more evident in the lighter cattle market.
LMB Linke agent Derek Morse said the feedlot support was critical, improving the prices for the heavier lines of cattle while lighter yards were consistent with January sales.
Majority of cattle left the region with a large portion heading over the border to South East South Australia through TFI.
- Full report in the Stock & Land March 6 edition