Wodonga agents will have their work cut out for them, as they try to pen up cattle for the annual calf sales in January.
Selling under the roof of the NVLX saleyard at Barnawartha, will commence on Wednesday, January 3. The earlier start day is due mostly to making life comfortable for the cattle, plus agents, buyers and vendors.
Sale time is 10:30am, and Corcoran Parker are taking the limelight on this first day. The “Independent” agents will hold their sale, the next day, followed by Elders and Landmark, Friday, January 5.
This first week of sales is the “Blue Ribbon” Angus steers and heifers, with the following week designated to “Blue Ribbon”, Hereford-European and British cross calves.
Both weeks run over a three day period.
As most of the photos in this feature show, producers have been blessed with a late, but very good season.
It is predicted that prices will not reach the very highs of the 2017 annual calf sales, but increased weight and quality will promote some good pay cheques.
As you are aware, there are no guarantees in the livestock industry. However, if annual calf sales held in Euroa, in December, are any guide, the Wodonga sales should fill expectations.
Over the first two weeks, some 10,000-12,000 steers and heifers will be offered.
This gives many opportunities to purchase quality bred steers and heifers.
Most of Victoria has had a good season, with the neighbouring high country the only real disaster in 2017.
Agents can expect little to no competition from this area, maybe only for some of the heifers for future breeders.
While producers in the north have had some thunderstorms, it will take some more general rain in the next two weeks, to create much demand from past buyers up north.
Feedlot orders will be useful, but there are not many guarantees from this sector so far.
Backgrounders and restockers will front and center, as many of the finished steers sold up to date, have attained some high dollar values, due to their weight.
Feedlot orders will be more dependent on demand for heifers.
However, due to the very good season, many of the heifers are in prime condition, and weighing well. This has, in the past, put some feedlot orders out of contention.
On the other hand, it has given breeders a better opportunity, as the increased growth and weight will see their potential for joining a far better scenario than the past two years.
There is a certain confidence toward the 2018 annual Wodonga calf sales, as much Victoria is still in good stead, and much silage and hay has been harvested.
Following on from the first two weeks, Wodogna agents aill offer a good yarding of F1 females, Wednesday, January 17, starting at midday.
Traditionally, these joined females are in very good conditioned, and either calved, or due to calve.
Thursday 18th, starting at 10:30am, will be the beef breeds female sale, including very good quality, joined,and calved heifers and cows.
If the Australian herd is to increase, and local producers need to restock after a poor year, leading up to spring, now is the time.
