A small amount of rain fell Thursday night, and the promise of more over the weekend lifted competition at Bairnsdale, Friday.
Agents offered a smaller yarding of 1872 head, which ranged from very young and small beef, and dairy calves, to bullocks weighing 632 kilograms liveweight.
This pen of 12 South Devon bullocks, offered by L Frew, sold for $1860, which was the sale’s top price.
Fewer yearling steers were penned, especially beef breeds, as there was a few pens of Friesian steers offered later in the sale.
Away from the pen of bullocks, yearling steers sold mostly from $1000-$1530. DH Mitchell sold a mixed run of Limousin cross yearlings from $1290-$1530, and K&H Maher, 15 Angus steers for $1400.
The Monaro, and high country is quite dry for this time of year, and heading into winter, producers are thinking it is prudent to sell a few cattle.
KJ&GJ Connley, Benambra, sold 61 Angus & Angus-Hereford steers from $1010-$1140, and steers of this ilk, sold very well.
LF&LJ Reed, Delegate, sold 48 Angus-Hereford & Charolais cross steers from $990-$1080. CJ Pendergast 7 Co, Benambra, sold 28 Hereford & Hereford-Angus steers from $890-$1170.
Very light weight steers continued to sell to strong demand, although prices did slip from the peaks of the past month. AD&MK Reed, Delegate, sold 36 Hereford steer calves from $710-$940, and Jumunjie Holdings P/L, 39 Hereford steers from $950-$1000.
Continuing the cold country trend, was K&T Woodgate selling 12 Hereford steers for $1180, and TE Woodgate, Gelantipy, 18 Herefords for $1040.
The better quality offering of Friesian steers were cheaper. JT&JA Vardy sold 66 steers from $550-$660, while J&P Connelly sold 7 steers for $800.
Breeders paid $1460 for 25 Angus heifers of B&L Worseldine, Clifton Creek. Most other heifers sold to solid competition, making from $750-$1080.
The herd dispersal of G&J Connley’s Angus cows, PTIC to calve from July 1, was a highlight of the sale. These 138 Angus cows sold from $1300 for 8 year old cows, to $1860. Proven breeders made more than two pens of heifers.
Several pens were purchased by a Western District producer.
Only a few cows and calves were penned and sold to $1920.
I am over 70 years of age, and it is time to ease up a little. This is the last of our breeding herd, and while it is sad, an easier lifestyle will solve this, price helps too.
- Graeme Connley, Cann River
