Mar 13: ROBERTS Ltd Launceston celebrated the opening of its $2.6 million remodelled Powranna marketing complex in northern Tasmania on Thursday, with a booming sale of 3200-head.
Buyers from the north and north-west finishing areas of the island State were keen to start on their restocking programs while a strong order from the Riverina in NSW pushed steer rates above 200 cents a kilogram liveweight for much of the sale as the best sales made to 230c/kg.
Following a better than above growing season, weaning weights were better than par, with good numbers of pen weights above 300kg and up to 420kg.
Prices for the heavier drafts of Angus and Hereford steers varied from $720-$855 and averaged 200c/kg lwt, while 280-360kg steers made $540-$755 and av 207c/kg.
As usual, and given that the majority of the Tasmanian beef weaners are spring-drop, a good percentage of yarding was sold between the weights of 200-280kg.
These lighter steers made from $380-$585 a head and av 210c/kg lwt and once again exceeded all expectations.
The demand for heifers to finish and join was equally as impressive as the majority of sales commanded rates between 165-185c/kg lwt.
The heavier pens made $600-$680 a head, while mid-weighted drafts made $460-$625 a head.
Smaller young heifers also gained better than anticipated inquiry and made $300-$455 a head and av 160c/kg lwt.
- Full report in the Stock & Land March 20 edition
Murray Arnel
Stock store analyst for Stock & Land.
Stock store analyst for Stock & Land.
