LIGHTER weaner calves soared to a high of 354 cents a kilogram at the Elders Steer Weaner Sale on Friday at Casterton.
Elders’ Jody Darcy said there was tremendous competition right across the quality 2000-head yarding, with prices similar to the previous sales in the Western District.
He quoted heavy feeder steers from 315-335c/kg, while lighter cattle made from 340-354c/kg.
I will certainly miss my clients and being the yards, but it’s a great day to do out on. These are some of the best prices I’ve seen in a long, long time.”
- Farewell speech by veteran Elders’ agent Sim Flanders.
“It was a very strong sale, and prices really met the current market for weaners,” Mr Darcy said.
Buyers from southern and northern NSW, along with southern Queensland, helped to strengthen the sale’s results.
These buyers competed with Landmark International, who continued its efforts to secure cattle for a large live export order, as well as Thomas Food International (TFI), Teys Charlton, and a handful of agents from south east South Australia and Gippsland.
Mr Darcy said the decision to offer larger lines of feature cattle had peaked buyers’ interests.
“Offering 100 head or more in a pen is something we usually do, but it’s certainly appreciated by a number of buyers,” he said.
One person who jumped at this opportunity was Ben Redfern, Emms Mooney & Co, Oberon, NSW.
He managed to secure a B-Double load of cattle from Glencairn, paying 339c/kg for 110 Hereford steers, 287kg, and 335c/kg for another 112 Herefords, 252kg, from the same vendor.
The 61st annual sale attracted a large crowd, and opened to farewell speech by veteran Elders’ agent Sim Flanders.
He was hanging up his hat after 44 years in the stock agency game – a huge milestone for Elders Casterton.
“I will certainly miss my clients and being the yards, but it’s a great day to do out on,” he told Stock & Land after the sale.
“These are some of the best prices I’ve seen in a long, long time.”
The first pen of the day saw Rosebank’s offering of 32 Hereford steers, Woonalee and Wilkah-blood, EU-accredited, 371kg, snapped up by Princess Feedlot, SA, on a 327c/kg bid.
The Koch family, Nangeela, who run the Rosebank operation, had a successful sale, selling 150 Herefords and Simmental-Hereford steers, March-April 2015-drop, to 335c/kg.
They also received the best presented pen award for 24 Herefords steers, Wilkah-blood, 357kg, that sold to Landmark International at 323c/kg.
“We are really happy with the prices,” Shirley Koch said.
But it wasn’t until later in the morning that the top price was eventually paid.
Kevin Upton, Glencairn, Casterton, was one of the volume vendors for the day, clearing 420 Hereford and Angus-Hereford steer calves. He received the highest price for his pen of 26 black baldies, 254kg, at 354c/kg.
The top price was the same as Tuesday’s sale at Casterton.
“You’ve got to be happy with that,” Mr Upton said.
“It’s been such a tough year; we’ve hardly had any rain, but the cattle have done tremendously.”
Mr Upton has supported the sale since its inception 61 years ago.
Greg Cook, Ayrhaven, Brimboal, was another satisfied seller.
He cleared 21 Angus steers, 382kg, at 314c/kg, and another 10 Angus, 324kg, at 342c/kg. Both pens were by Boonaroo bulls.
“It’s so great to see growers rewarded for their efforts,” Mr Cook said.
“That’s $1/kg better than last year, and it certainly makes a big difference.”
Brian Meyer, Southdene Estates, Casterton, agreed.
He offloaded 59 Angus steers, at an average of $1145. His top pen of 10, 404kg, fetched 326c/kg ($1317).
“Last year I got $744 or 326c/kg for cattle that weighed 343kg,” Mr Meyer said.
“It’s really amazing.”