GIPPSLAND has been very lucky this summer and has had only a minor number of hot days, and very, little wind. However, last Thursday at Pakenham, the heat and humidity was almost unbearable.
Adding to this hot weather was the large yarding of 2600 head. This large supply was created by the Australia Day holiday two weeks ago, which saw the regular store sale at Pakenham cancelled.
Despite the yarding having a large range of breeding, weight, quality and age, there was something for everyone, and the quality was generally quite good throughout.
A large crowd attended, but as the sale progressed, and individual purchases were filled, the crowd diminished. By the time the sale reached the cows and calves, only a small number of buyers remained. This doesn’t mean that demand disappeared though, as prices for the very mixed yarding of cows and calves were very good.
In comparison to the last sale four weeks ago, the heavier yearling steers were cheaper, selling to less processor, feedlot competition. Top of the sale was J Guest, Sunbury, selling 17 Angus steers, 22 months, weighing 561 kilograms liveweight. These steers sold for $1880, and most heavier yearling sold from $1500 to the top price, and in liveweight price terms were 320-335c/kg.
Competition for younger steers remained very strong, especially for named breeding of Angus steers. Some very good sales were noted from $1300-$1500, or 375-415c/kg lwt. Mt McDonald Angus, Icy creek, sold Angus steers, 320-382kgs, from $1310-$1440, or 378-409c/kg lwt.
Lighter weight steers sold mostly from $1050-$1320, and in this range, and all other steers, their were opportunities at cheaper prices. Plenty of secondary steers sold between $800&$1050.
Competition varied for the good quality yarding of heifers. Some younger heifers sold at unchanged rates, especially producers securing breeding stock. Gippsland Grazing sold 42 Angus heifers from $1400-$1440, and Mt McDonald Angus, 45 Angus heifers for $1310. Loch Springs P/L, Trafalgar, sold 58 Angus heifers from $1390-$1440. Many heifers sold between $850&$1250.
Cows and calves were very scattered in their age and quality. Kaduna Park, Officer, sold 18 Limousin Cows and calves from $3425-$3700, and L Horsefield, Thorpdale, 15 Angus cows and calves from $2080-$2140.
