Heavy rainfall at the weekend, added to previous good falls, led to stronger demand from producers at Pakenham on Thursday.
Agents offered 1207 cattle, which included a good supply of young, lighter weight calves. These were offered mostly in small drafts, and were accessible to small farm operators.
However, one agent was a strong bidder, buying several pens throughout the morning.
“Maitland Downs”, Cape Liptrap, bit the bullet and sold off 104 steer, and 108 heifers calves.
The producer, who did not want to be named, said he was not confident in the future of the season and chose to sell of early.
The steer calves sold from $710-$1000 with most equaling between 380&410c/kg lwt. Being straight of their mothers made them acceptable to processors, and some went that way.
His heifer calves sold between $670&$820, sharing an equally good result.
Aside form these there were other highlights. While competition varied throughout the sale, younger and lighter weight steers sold to the best advantage. Breeders calves sold very well.
From the outset, competition was strong. Sars Investments, Lysterfield, sold 27 Angus steers, pure Lawsons Angus blood, from $1080-$1220, or 346-361 cents per kilogram liveweight.
The season in the western district has been good since autumn, and the 24 Angus steers of Quaterford Angus Stud, Mt Duneed, 11-12 months, made from $1290-$1370.
Heavier yearling steers generally sold at unchanged rates with feedlots looking to buy them cheaper, they were disappointed.
J Berends, Carrum Downs, sold 22 Angus & Angus-Hereford steers, 530-545kgs, from $1525-$1580. this was the top of the market.
Drouin Park, Drouin South, sold yearling Angus steers for $1270.
Charolais steers of G&B Shanks, Toora, sold from $780-$1090, and S Falcone, Bunyip, sold 19 Charolais steers to $1050.
David Young sent 21 Hereford steers, Mawarra blood, all the way from Ensay, to lighten off the load.
Having already purchased eight loads of hay, is not a cheap way to farm this year. His steers sold from $1020-$1100.
Most of the heifers sold between $750&$990 with P Trombridge, Flinders, selling 11 Angus heifers for $1170. This was the markets top price for heifers.
Brookville Angus sold 68 Angus cows PTIC to Angus, from $1010-$1380, a good result considering the current price of cow beef.
Charlewood Nominees, Kall Kallo, sold 12 Angus cows for $1670, proving that breeders are still in the market.
Top of the large penning of 78 cows and calves was FF Commisso, Drouin West, selling 10 cows and calves for $2350. These were good quality outfits, but equally, good prices.
The 25 mixed breed cows with Limousin calves at foot, of JN&CP Langelaan, Neerim, displayed a good range of prices. These sold from $1060-$1940.
