This year’s condensed line up of Western District weaner sales promises to be among the most outstanding ever assembled.
Weight and growth for age, the assembled cattle will stand as testament to the years of genetics that’s been invested in the southern beef herd, and along the string of excellence seasons reinforces the thought that quality breeding and quality feeding go “hand-in-hand”.
It was also evident during my inspection of a dozen or so randomly nominated herds that this years pennings will provide plenty of weight – perhaps 20-30 kilograms more – than previous Western District sales.
Average weights across the respective centres and yardings could easily top the 350kg mark with the lead-draft pens expected to nudge 400kg, and 450kg for the crossbred calves.
This may keep at bay some of the long-distant interstate travels but as many agents and producers have commented the depth of the southern season, with its ample pasture, hay and quality water should kept at home many of the heavier weighted cattle.
A left of field order of live export steers for Russia has also begun buying for an end of January delivery. Rates of 340-350c/kg for calves 280 to 350kg have been confirmed and while they wont purchase all of the cattle at these weights the order promise to place an solid floor in the market at this cattegory of steers and perhaps for those of heavier weights.
On this basis this could see most of the mid-weighted steer calves traded in the $1000- $1200 per head price range, with the heavier drafts expected to make $100-$150 a head more.
Granted these prices will be lower than 12 months ago but they are stronger than the late winter months when the national cattle market came under enormous pressure from rapid declining prices.
One of the more interesting aspects of next months Western sales is the Hamilton and Casterton series has been shortened and re-organised. Buyers who seek their opportunities in the western area can now attend five sales over three days in the first week of selling and five markets (including Warrnambool) over four days in the second week.
A revamped Hamilton schedule has seen the merger of the Elders/Landmark Hereford and Euro-breds steer sale (previously Thursday) with the Elders/Lamdmark Angus steer market on Tuesday, January 9. While at Casterton the Elders steer sale has moved from the Friday in the first week to bouncing the ball as the first sale on Monday, January 8 at 8.30 am. This means travelling buyers can seek out their opportunities in the west before heading to sale in the northeast for the state later in the week.
