RAIN then sunshine, then more rain and more sunshine, and plenty of bidding, made Landmark EGL’s annual Gelantipy sale a very good day for producers.
This sale has a small, but regular clientele, but it is one of the best, traditional high country sales of the calendar. Auctioneer Brad Obst, uttered the opening comments as rain started to fall, but nobody cared as it was only adding to an already fantastic season in the district.
FA&DM Boulton, Gelantipy Station, which is directly across the road from the saleyard, was the largest vendor offering 685 Angus & Angus-Hereford steers. These steers were up to 20 months of age, and because of the very good season, they were carrying more condition than their 2015 sale.
Highly sought after for slaughter and grain feeding, plus for fattening into prime bullocks, these steers sold to strong competition from NSW, Thomas Foods International, and Gippsland producers.
None of these cattle had been weighed, so beauty was in the eye of the beholder. The heaviest pen of steers sold to Direct Rural, NSW, for $1670, and all except for one oen sold over $1000. The 685 steers averaged a very good $1283 per head.
All of the cattle sold at Gelantipy are locally bred. The sale of the 2015 autumn drop steers saw many sell between $900&$1070.
W&A Henderson sold 46 Hereford steers, Karoonda blood, from $920-$1070, and KR Davies, who had a farm weight displayed of 354kg for his top pen, sold 48t Hereford steers, Mawarra bld, from $800-$1005.
TE Woodgate has taken over a lot of the family’s property, and sold 158 Hereford steers, Glenellerslie bld, from $820-$1050.
Most of the vendors agreed that this sale was about $150 better than 2015 for the steers, and even more for the heifers. There was one processor, Radford’s of Warragul, purchasing steers and heifers, as the very good season has produced top quality calves.
The heifer portion of the sale was relatively small, but of good quality. Competition came from Garrison feedlot, local producers, and a live export order. Some Gippsland fatteners also made purchases.
FA&DM Boulton sold 15 Angus heifers for $970, but W&A Henderson topped the sale with 20 Hereford heifers that made $980.
TE Woodgate sold 67 Hereford heifers from $740-$910, KR Davies, 34 heifers for $905&$920, and P&D Moon, 11 Hereford heifers for $855.
Not all heifers were of the same age, and GA&SA Moon sold 40 heifers from $680-$760.
After a very good sale, all producers were smiling and looking forward to next year.
