While attending the Western District Weaner Sales at Hamilton and Casterton, I spent a night or two with Murray Arnel who asked me to put pen to paper for the Stock & Land while he has a break. So here goes.
May I congratulate all vendors on an outstanding line-up of weaner calves from Naracoorte, Mt Gambier, Casterton and last but not least Hamilton. I make some observations that in my opinion need improving on, especially if you are a purchaser, either feedlot, backgrounding or fattening.
Weaning vs unweaned
It was noticeable that from the December sale at Naracoorte through to January that vendors were very happy to take the money and weren’t concerned about weaning as the sales progressed.
Having to background on a notable Western District property it was noticeable to us that the weaned calves settle down and go on much quicker than the unweaned calves.
Sore feet and swelling
The saleyards using soft flooring are excellent but if you have to let calves stand in delivery pens at some yards we experience lameness in some of the calves. This sends them back enormously even to the extent of deaths. The calves are too expensive to risk this happening.
The agency business is experiencing outstanding returns with the amount of commission being earned.
From my humble experience can I suggest to young agents that haven’t been through disastrous cattle, sheep and lamb prices to make sure you give as much service to your clients as you can. Don’t give them any reason to go direct and don’t cut commission as this will lead to problems if the market changes as history has shown that it will change.
The auction system has to remain in place as the leading way to gauge the values for our livestock prior to sale.
The recent weaner sales throughout the eastern states have once again proven this to be correct.
A perfect example of this scenario was at Hamilton whilst waiting for the weaner calf sale to commence I watched the Hamilton lamb sale where prices were $6.20-6.40 where they stood.
Lambs over the hooks contract for Christmas and New Year for early January delivery were up to $5.40 delivered. This showed a $25 better result in the yards for the vendor, remembering that this will always relate to supply and demand.
Sad to learn of John Shrimpton’s passing this week, he was a drover and pick-up man at Newmarket Saleyards. John and his family have run the Newmarket Reunion since Joe Raymer died. The next Newmarket reunion is on Saturday, February 18, be there, this may be the last reunion unless someone else takes it on.
