Numbers offered at Ballarat’s monthly store cattle sale were the lightest recorded in almost a decade but there were indications that demand would remain strong throughout the coming spring.
Recent rains across the west and north of the state saw buyers from most regions (except Gippsland) attend and although most didn’t operate due to the small yarding, all observed the market closely.
One large western operator – a frequent volume buyer of Ballarat store cattle – said it was important that producers keep their numbers up.
“We rode the market up and now it’s time to ride it down” he said.
“Just how far the market will ease is the uncertainty. But with the feed we’ll grow when the weather warms, I don’t think the bottom can be too far from current rates,” he added cautiously.
Others saw the short market as a mere hiccup caused by the cancellation of some 500 advertised cattle due to transportation difficulties.
“The cattle were mustered but the trucks couldn’t leave to the yards,” the affected agent said. Another said the forecast on the day being for a very dirty weather had an impact: “Why sell when it is wet and miserable,” he argued.
“I don’t like working in these conditions and I suspect most buyers wouldn’t enjoy classing their cattle either in this weather.”
However another view – from a corporate agent – was the usual breeders’ lines of “for sale cattle” simply aren’t in the paddock to be sold.
“Breeders have sold forward all year,” he said.
The larger lines that would normally be sold in these yards have gone, he said, lured forward by the money and sold in the autumn.
That being said, while the market was back, the rates achieved for both steers and heifers were underpinned solidly by feeder inquiry. Steers suiting the feedlots generally made 300-310c/kg while the heifer rate stood firmly between 280-300c/kg.
This level of money according to another agent was the “feedlot delivery price less the freight” which on the day was deemed a satisfactory and successful result.
One of the highlights of the day – there were two in fact – was the strong demand for small unweighed cattle These lightweight calves were pursued with plenty of vigour by a swarm of local, small property operators eager to restock after the winter.
Steers of this description (estimated 200-270kg) made $800 to $970 a head while their heifer sisters made only slightly less money.
The second highlight was the intense demand for breeding females. Driven again by small operator inquiry, pregnancy tested in calf females – aged from heifers to fourth calf cows – generally made $1400-$1840 while better quality cow and calf outfits made $2000-$2770.
