INCREASED competition from feedlots and local restockers helped put a buzz in the cattle market today, with prices up across the board at the Warrnambool store sale.
Agents sold 1200 head all up, and Saffin Kerr Bowen-Rodwells’ Simon Henderson commented that buyers were anticipating a good season ahead.
He quoted the heavier weighed steers from 190-200 cents a kilogram, while the weighed weaner steers fetched 200-215c/kg.
“The heavier steers would have been 5-10c/kg dearer,” he said.
“And the younger weaner steers were probably 5-8c/kg up.”
Apart from stronger demand, Mr Henderson said the sale’s better quality run of calves played a role in the price rise.
He said heavier weighed heifers realised 185-190c/kg, an improvement of 5-10c/kg, while lighter weighed heifers made 165-175c/kg.
Ferndale topped the weighed steer sale on a pen of 12 Angus steers, 340kg, that made 215c/kg or the equivalent of $731, while another pen of 24 Angus steers, 375kg, from the same vendor made 211c/kg ($791).
A smaller number of open auction steers topped at $625 on a pen of 12 Angus steers, account T&K Netherway.
Most of the lighter open auction steers made the equivalent of 220-230c/kg.
In the weighed heifer section, the sale opened with 28 Charolais-Angus, 2yo, 423-452c/kg, which made 192c/kg ($812-$867), account Woorabinda, Caramut.
The same vendor cleared 12 Charolais-Angus steers at 195c/kg.
Bill O’Brien, of Elders Mortlake, who is the vendor’s agent, admitted he was thrilled with the price.
“On the heifers, I thought they would make 180-185c/kg, so the owners are going to be very pleased,” Mr O’Brien said.
Woorabinda runs a 1000 cow Angus herd, and this year offloaded its weaner calves at Ballarat two months ago.
“Hells Gate feedlot bought those weaners and the cattle today,” he added. “It’s been a good, solid market.”
But making the top weighed heifer price was Joan Symons, Lanaud, Warrnambool, who sold 15 Limousin, 267kg, at 198c/kg to Donald Kent, Dreeite.
Mr Kent bought the heifers as breeders.
“I was hoping for that $2/kg mark, so I’m very happy,” Mrs Symons said.
Injecting some big numbers onto the market was JMT Investments, who offloaded a large run of 155 Angus heifers, 15-16 months-old, 262-329kg. Jack Kelly, of J&J Kelly, said the draft were originally meant to go on the boat for export, but failed to make it.
He said they had been running on agistment at Penshurst prior to Friday’s sale, and the large line attracted a crowd of buyers – eager to put together a haul.
The heifers made 182-194c/kg.
Andrew Whan, of Miller Whan & John, Mt Gambier, secured most of these calves, snapping up about 130 head at 194c/kg.
“They made a lot more than I expected,” he said.
“People wanted a chance to put a line together. They were cattle with frame, without condition though.”
Mr Whan said the heifers would be put on grass, before heading to a feedlot later on to be placed on grain.
He also purchased 50 heavier Angus steers, 375-380kg, at 197c/g or $766, which will also be put on grass around Mt Gambier.
“There was a bit of grass fever around today,” he said. “Those little lighter unweighed steers sold like hot cakes.”
Commission buyer Peter Toohey was active on the day, buying for West Wimmera Beef, while another volume buyer was Hells Gate feedlot, of NSW.
Cows and calves were $100 dearer, topping at $1350.
