MAYBE it was the cold wind, or possibly the need for cattle that brought a large crowd to Pakenham last Thursday. However, now that many farms are wet, if not soaked or flooded, there was only just over 1,000 head offered for sale.
After two previous sales, where quality and supply was excellent, this yarding was not. While there was some good quality cattle offered, these were mostly in single pen lots, and of smaller number. Also, there were more secondary cattle offered, both of quality and breeding.
However, competition was good for all cattle penned, and as the crowd moved from one lane to the next buyers bid from above, on the walkway, from the lane, and from below. This created a very strong sale, described as fully firm to dearer, especially for some of the better quality, lighter weight cattle.
As there were no other sales on this day, buyers came from Wodonga, through to all areas of Gippsland and north of Melbourne. Feedlot competition was available, but strong producer competition kept them at bay. One buyer was noted purchasing cattle to travel overseas to Tasmania, as the most southern state is also very short of cattle.
“Loch Springs”, Trafalgar, sold 27 Angus steers from $1550 to the sales top price of $1820. These, and many other yearling steers sold for the live weight equivalent of 350-382c/kg lwt. Selling very well on the day was a pen of yearling Charolais steers, 0-2 teeth, weighing 392kgs. Offered by JB&SE Heenan, Gainsborough, sold for $1500.
It wasn’t hard to get everyone talking in this sale, as prices kept improving. D Kroger, Main Ridge, sold 41 young Angus steers, up to 277kgs in weight. These sold from $780-$1185, all equalling over 428c, and peaking at 454c/kg lwt.
The larger percentage of the better bred steers were Angus, but 22 yearling Hereford steers, offered by D&C Droppert, Fulham, sold very well, making from $1440-$1510.
Wyben Station, Buchan, offered 56 Angus, Charolais & Hereford steers. These young steers sold from $840-$1160. Some were not weighed, but estimates, based on those that had been, saw them equal 411-510c/kg lwt.
JE Patterson & HF Saunders, Gruyere, sold 16 Angus steer calves from $970-$1170, and these were estimated to equal 477-485c/kg lwt. This is where the strength of the market was, as buyers looked to replace cattle recently sold. As spring is on the doorstep, numerous producers are now looking to fill paddocks.
Several pens of Friesian steers were offered, which varied in age. Some buyers defered to these steers to alleviate the damage to their bank accounts, and paid mostly from $730-$1030.
Similar competition was attributed to their, and most other heifers. The 101 heifers of Wyben Station sold from $645-$960. D Kroger, Main Ridge, sold 39 Angus heifers from $770-$930.
Not before time, that producers realise cows and calves have been good buying, and by comparison they still are.
The selection of cows and calves was very small but included two small lots of quality outfits. IA&NF Staff, Pheasant Creek, sold 6 Red Angus cows with calves at foot, 6 months old, for $2200, and Riverview Livestock, Nar Nar Goon, sold 4 Angus cows with very good quality, young Angus calves at foot for $1580.
