Wodonga
Steers to $1310
Heifers to $1105
Cows and calves to $2140
THURSDAY’S Wodonga store sale was overall firm on the previous sale a fortnight before.
The usual suite of commission buyers were active, particularly on the heavier end of the 2683-head yarding (plus 53 calves) and some north-east restockers – encouraged by last weekend’s rainfalls and forecasts of more in coming days – were active on the lighter and middle weight stock.
Although auctioneer Matt Tinkler, Elders Albury NSW, said only 10 to 15 millimetres of rain had been received last weekend, so some producers were still a bit “gun shy”.
He said the heaver end of steers were dearer than at the last sale but steers in the 250 to 300 kilogram range presented some good buying opportunities.
“They weren’t cheap but not dear as we’ve seen them,” Mr Tinkler said.
Fairfield Nominees, Walla Walla NSW, sold 20 Hereford steers 15-16 months-old, 0-2 teeth, 488kg for the category top of $1310 to commission buyer Duncan Brown. East Loddon, Warwilla, Wanganella NSW, had a pen of 13 Angus steers, 0-2 teeth, 457kg that made $1240.
Justine Keane, Corcoran Parker Wangaratta, said steers remained at about 320c/kg for the heavier types and about 330c/kg for lighter ones, with some sales better, including the Red Angus-Hereford, 7-8 months, European Union eligible steers, sold by RH Walpole, Whorouly. The 70-strong draft averaged $855 and topped at $910 for 23 that weighed av 266kg, making their price 342c/kg.
Graham Schulz, Morven, was confident he purchased the best pen of the sale – 22 Charolais-Angus steers, Rangan blood, 344kg, that he secured after sustained bidding competition for $1134.
He also purchased the first pen of heifers – 11 Charolais-Angus, 18 months, 382kg for $1105. These heifers were consigned by R&M Forster, Mansfield, whose second pen of 12 Angus heifers, 361kg, sold for $1000.
Mr Tinkler said the heifer job was very strong. For example, the top 10 Angus heifers, 11 months, Scott’s Angus bld, 360kg, from MA&JT Scott, Staghorn Flat, made $985 and the top 24 Angus heifers 12-13 months, Hazeldean bld, from DTS&E Phillips, Snowball, Gundagai NSW, made $885.
Mr Keane said better heifers generally sold for 280-290c/kg, and pens of lighter weight black heifer calves made 300c/kg or more.
Cows and calves and tested in-calf females sold well, with the vast majority of these breeder returned to the paddock. Highlights included N&J Paola’s five Angus cows with their second Angus calves at-foot. The cows had been redepastured to Witherswood bulls for six weeks and made $2140.
