Steers sell to $1920 at Leongatha store sale

In a 2574 yarding, steers sold to $1920 and averaged 450c/kg liveweight, which was firm on the previous month but back slightly on the last fortnight.

Heifers sold to $1540 and cows and calves to $2060, to strong competition; prices were up $300-$500.

Lots of local buyers – farmers, butchers, feedlots – were very active, alongside Geoff Swain who pushed prices along, buying a consignment of black cattle for Charlton Feedlot.

Landmark Leongatha livestock agents were responsible for half the yarding – 1200 cattle – supporting the annual feature line of 102 weaned Angus steers and heifers, Innesdale and Merlewood bloodline, from R&Y Densley, Mirboo. These made to $1160, for a pen of 9-11mo steers, 279kg. 

“The quality of our yarding made the cattle sell exceptionally well,” Landmark’s Brian McCormack said.

“We worked with local producers to bring cattle up to specification for this sale, with autumn weaning, realising prices were too good to hold the cattle longer.”

A line of cattle from R&M Hunt, Newry, topped the market at $1920 each for a pen of 20-month-old Angus steers, 520kg. A second pen, 492kg, made $1870.

EA&C Farmer, Traralgon, sold a pen of 22mo Charolais steers, 520kg, for $1900; and their brothers, 478kg, sold at $1820. B&D Summers, Fish Creek, sent in 18-20mo black baldy steers, 514kg, that sold for $1890; a second pen, 460kg, made $1740.

R&M Hunt, Newry, sold a line of 16mo Hereford steers, Mawarra and Newcomen bloodlines; the tops, 501kg, sold at $1850. Their line of 20mo Angus steers sold to $1920 for a pen, 520kg.

A Conisbee & Co, Glengarry, sold a line of yard weaned 14-16mo Angus steers; the top weight pen, 428kg, went for $1720. Rosedale’s Jim Dean sent in a line of 98 steers and heifers, Innesdale blood. The 15mo top steers, 457kg, sold to $1690; base price was $1490. His heifers, 440kg, sold to $1540.

Gordon and Sue Couper, Mardan, were absolutely delighted to receive $1490 for their 10-12mo Angus and black baldy steers, 272kg, Newcomen and Mundook bloodlines.

“It’s an unbelievable price,” Mr Couper said.

The cattle made 548c/kg lwt and were sold to a local grass finisher who had bought their consignment previously.

R Lansell, Main Ridge, sold two pens of 16-18mo Angus steers at $1470 for the first pen 408kg; and $1440 for the brothers, 377kg. 

LC&SE Marriott, Tarwin, sold 16-18mo Hereford steers, 365kg, $1450. Bec Vuillerman, Vuiller Shorthorns, Yanakie, sent in a pen of 16mo steers, 368kg, $1410. Tarwin Lower’s D&S Jelbart sold 10-12mo Angus steers, 309kg, $1305.

Darren McAinch, Sanbah Herefords, Yanakie, was another breeder happy with the sale. His 10-11mo steers, Mundook bloodline, 305kg, sold to $1250; his same-age heifers sold to $1055.

Sale’s B Boulton sold 12mo Hereford-Friesian-cross steers, $1050.

It was a good sale for dairy farmers, with Friesian steers sold to $1400 for a pen average weight 494kg.

Competition was hot for cows and calves. A single black baldy cow with calf, vendor Whodeany P/L, Meeniyan, sold at $2060.

An Angus heifer with grown steer, depastured to a Charolais bull, sold at $1710; vendor B Fletcher, Woolamai.

F1 Angus cows with calves sold to $1600.

A springing Angus heifer, vendor S Newton, Boolarra, sold at $1620.