For some buyers, the Elders Ensay Hereford sale is one of the most preferred of the Mountain Calf series, as some of the repeat buyers only attend this sale, then go home.
One buyer in particular instructs his agent to make sure they buy the first few pens. These pens, include the top drafts of the Newcomen brothers, Evan and Barry, and this year, P&K Geeham pulled first pen honours.
Not taking away any credit form any other producers, but some of the Ensay producers look after their cattle handsomely, making sure they deserve first lane positions.
Many of the first pens of steers are 11-13 months sold, and have been well weaned and fed. Seventeen of the top pens sold for over $1400, which was well up on the previous year.
In 2017, EO&DI Newcomen took top place, selling 120 Hereford and Shorthorn-Hereford steers to a top of $1640, from a base of $1250 for younger steers.
PJ Commins sold 16 yearling Hereford steers for $1590, and this figure matched the top price of BC&AJ Newcomen’s 100 steer calves that sold from $1040-$1590.
Competition for the yarding of 1288 head came mostly from South and West Gippsland, which included many repeat buyers. Northern competition was non existent, as this sale was much stronger than their pricing.
The price average for 941 steers was a very healthy $1265, and 34 heifers averaged $1024. As some of these cattle were EU accredited, extra competition came from Thomas Foods International, buy a load for their EU program.
This was the best sale of the two days, so far, and all vendors sold at least one pen of steers over $1360.
This was the best sale of the two days, so far, and all vendors sold at least one pen of steers over $1360.
P&K Geeham, sold 56 steers from $1190-$1550. RA&W Newcomen sold 106 steers from $1190-$1490, and CR&JH Lloyd’s 36 steers made $1440-$1460.
Many others sold in a similar price range.
Exceptions included RM Treasure’s 71 young steers, which were knocked down for $980-$1050; and CJ Treasure’s 76 young steers made $850-$990. All of these steers equated to more than 420c/kg live weight, and most of the older steers were close behind in terms of price per kilogram.
Heifers peaked at $1240, which was for 16 Shorthorn-Hereford heifers of EO&DI Newcomen. These were the favoured Strawberry Roan heifers of the high country.
BC&AJ Newcomen sold the highest price Hereford heifers, making $1170.
Most sales of all heifers were between $930 and $1190. Missing from this year’s sale was a run of yearling heifers of JA Commins & Co, so the heifer price average seems even better because of this.