Christmas looms, and it has been a very dry year for local and district producers in and around Sale.
During the course of the sale, heavy rain started to fall, as predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology. Up to 100mm of rain was recorded in the selling area over the ensuing weekend, which was greatly appreciated.
Now monthly, and still very dry, the yarding of 1750 head did offer some very good quality. However, numerous pen of the younger cattle were in plain store condition.
Few of these young cattle have been penned at store sales of late, due to the good season elsewhere across the state of Victoria.
This created strong competition, and at times some very good prices.
However, after a very successful sale here a month ago, agents were quoting this sale as $50-$100 cheaper for some of the cattle, especially in the heifer section.
I&H Baker, and D&S French, both sold yearling Angus steers for the top price of $1395.
A good quality draft of 74 yearling Angus steers, Kunuma blood, was offered by RE Kuch. These sold well, and were equal to the last sale, making from $1215-$1370.
“Tablelands”, sold 30 yearling Hereford steers from $1175-$1250, which for their breed, and weight, was also unchanged.
Where the cheaper trend was seen was for younger steers and heifers. After the very hot day, Thursday, demand was not as strong.
Most of the steers in this range sold from $870-$1200, or an estimated 295-335c/kg, although a couple of sales were higher.
R&K Telling, Woodside, sold 32 Angus steers from $1100-$1265, E&D Anderson, 36 Angus steers from $1000-$1010, and R&E Newnham, 22 Angus-Hereford, and Shorthorn-Hereford steers from $840-$1000.
W&N Hawkins sold 44 Angus steers, all weighing under 300kgs, from $925-$970.
Competition for the steers was quite varied, but the same could not be said for the heifers. By this stage, there were fewer buyers, and most were not fussed about purchasing.
Having said this, there was good demand for some of the lighter weight heifers. Two sales of younger Angus heifers of P&M Coleman, and C&J Lee, both of $700 per head were noted as being very good on a quiet day.
VM&EJ White, offered the largest run of heifers, yarding 33 Angus heifers. These also sold to the top price of $1105, from a base of $890, to average $1015.
The Estate of EA Birss, sold 22 Angus heifers for $1050, but most others sold between $660&$950.
A reasonable selection of cows and calves was very mixed for age and quality, which led to varying results. The estate of AA Birss sold Angus cows and calves for $1880, and at the lower price range was John bates selling 11 plainer condition Angus cows with 12 calves at foot for $1540.
Several pens of dairy, and crossbred steers were offered, and these sold to solid competition. Prices varied according to age and quality, but most sold between $510&$1010.