A HASTILY re-arranged selling schedule will greet buyers at next month’s Casterton weaner sales.
Out the door has gone tradition, with the revised schedule expected to help the buyers on their way after bidding for their cattle.
The remodel will see the Elders steer sale – its 64 annual – move from its traditional Friday market to starting the weaner series at 8.30am on in the Monday morning of January 8 while the Landmark steers will follow close behind Tuesday morning, January 9 at 9.00am.
Casterton agents Chad Mason, Elders, and Greg Bright, Landmark, agree it will be a tight squeeze.
But are getting an early bite of the cherry in the combined Hamilton-Casterton weaner series, and “if the buyers are eager they may as well spend their money out at Casterton than at Hamilton,” they said.
Chad Mason said the change was a huge clash with tradition.
“Normally with the Friday sale if the buyers weren’t keen to hang around the market tended to slip and we missed some of the bidding,” he said.
This change was also forced the cancellation of the Elders/Landmark Hamilton steer sale on the Thursday which sees Hamilton sales trimmed from four selling days to three and left Casterton’s Friday market isolated.
Mr Mason said the Elders Monday sale would sell 1500 steers comprising mostly Angus and Hereford steers and their crosses.
He said recent widespread rains across Victoria and the South Australia has been a godsend.
“Our cattle have hung on remarkably pastures are still green when normally they would have dried and the cattle would be needing some added support,” he said.
Mr Mason said some recent inquiries for on-farm purchases around the mid-$3/kg mark has now been supported by strong selling at Naracoorte and Mt Gambier where cattle have made this money and higher.
The beauty to this year is an added depth of competition that’s come forward, that we’re only beginning to learn about.
- Greg Bright, Landmark
Landmark’s Greg Bright agreed the Casterton-district were still benefiting from back-to-back terrific seasons.
“Our cattle will carry more weight than last year – perhaps 20 to 30kg – and the look good despite being very wet and cold in these parts during winter,” Mr Bright said.
“The beauty to this year is an added depth of competition that’s come forward that we’re only just beginning learning about.
“There is the normal South East competition that has experienced a good season since the spring, through to the upper northeast where recent rains have benefited the regions vast Lucerne crops.
“And then there is a Russian boat order for late January delivery that has its eye set of 280-350kg steers to underpin the market in the 340-350c/kg range.”
Mr Bright said his Casterton Landmark steer sale, on the Tuesday morning before Hamilton, will have cattle for everyone.
A good mix of Angus, Hereford, Murray Grey calves will be penned along with some Limousin-cross in the 2500-head yarding.
“Our aim is to sell the cattle quickly and get the buyers on their way because in the following week we want them back when Elders and Landmark combined sale of 2400 heifers on Thursday, January 19.”