The 30th annual Elders Blue Ribbon Feature weaner sale, Yea, continued this year’s strong trend with local cattle attracting interest from Gippsland restockers and feedlots.
The top pen of 18 Box Hill, Yea, February/March 2016 drop Angus steers, Connamarra blood, sold for $1650, setting the mark for the rest of the sale.
Michael and Sue Spagnolo drafted 150 steers and 60 heifers for the sale, realising $3.69kg for the first pen, and $3.88 for their second run. “We had a tough start to the season, but we certainly picked up, later on in the year,” Mr Spagnolo said.
“Our pasture is really well looked after, and we don’t overstock, so the proof is in the pudding. These are about 25kg heavier than last year, but similar to the year before – on a good year, that’s about where we expect to be.”
The top seven lines of Angus steers sold for between $1610 and $1650, with Elders buyers and feedlots active in the market, for the first 20 pens. Elders Yea branch manager Bruce Elliott said top calves only made $1400 last year.
“The EU job had a big influence too, the first time I’ve seen that for a long time,” Mr Elliott said. Other top lines of Angus steers were sold a/c The Lily, who sold three pens of February/March drop steers for $1610, av $3.88. The second and third pens of 22 Innisfail and Witherswood blood animals went for $3.96/kg and while the third pen of five for $4.14/kg.
Mr Spagnolo said Connamarra bulls were used exclusively at Box Hill.
“We are lucky to get the pick of them, every year, we pick for growth and a big meaty animals, with a big wide mouth, and nice and stretchy,” he said.
John Clements, Cremona Park, Molesworth, sold 180 steers and 90 heifers. Mr Clements achieved a top price of $1560 per head for 22 steers, the best price he said he had made in 40 years.
Among the Herefords, John and Claire Sinclair, trading as Nutfield Partnership, sold 12 EU accredited steers, Glentrevor and Paringa blood, for $1550, av $4.78/kg.
Armstrong Evergreen had a line of 24 March/April drop Hereford steers, which also sold for $1560, av $4.25/kg.
Higher-priced Charolais included 17 steers, a/c A.T and G.E Christie, sold for $1610. The Ashwood Park blood February/March 2015 drop cattle averaged $3.65/kg, while G & H Hauser, Murrindindi, had 21 steers, Falls View and Paringa blood, which went for $1580.
Among the highest prices for heifers were received by G & H Hauser, Murrindindi, with $1350, for a pen of 17 February/March 2016 Charolais.
A & S Sundblom, Flat Lead, Yea, achieved $1270 for 21 March/April drop Angus heifers, Glendaloch Farms blood.