Setting a very high standard in breeding paid dividends for Graeme and Pam Norman at Wangaratta female sale, Friday. Persisting with Banquet bloodlines paid off when two determined producers locked horns.
Their competition for the EU accredited Banquet heifers saw them sell for $1500, after the bidding started at $1000. Robert Patterson was successful, after his agent jumped the bidding by $50, then $100, in order to secure these prized heifers.
Selling in the fifth pen of the sale, this strong competition appeared to set a trend for most of the heifers sold. The second pen of G,J&D Norman’s heifers sold for $1180, and most heifers sold between $850 & $1180.
Prior to the first pen of 2017 drop Angus heifers, there were three pens of yearling heifers, 12-16 months. These sold between $955 and $1060, which was a handy result for their weights.
Several conversations had with producers were around them having sold their heifers for live export, and at good prices. This did leave a small hole in this market, although the ratio of heifers to steers, which were sold Wednesday, was better than seen at most other recent sales.
Possibly, due to live export, the overall shorter supply of heifers, was why demand was relatively strong. Many heifers sold, in liveweight terms, between 285c and 327cents per kilogram.
Fewer larger consignments of heifers were seen in the sale. Christmont Pty Ltd sold 25 Angus heifers for $1030. Hurst Falding, East Wangaratta, sold 55 Angus heifers, 9 months, from $850-$1010.
Angus heifers were purchased for grain feeding, but most of the feedlot competition was for European breeds and their crosses.
Feedlot competition was strong here, because of weight and quality versus price. Heifers having a little more fat cover aided feedlot competition too.
P&K Alston, “North Uabba”, Lake Cargelligo, NSW, was awarded the best presented pen, for 18 Charolais-Angus heifers, 10-12 months. These heifers sold for $1085. Most Charolais heifers and their crosses sold from $880-$1085. LG&MR Currie sold 23 Limousin-Angus heifers, 9-10 months from $920-$1020.
In keeping with the farming policy, Mark Greening, Injemira Hereford Stud, purchased a pen of EU Accredited, Hereford heifers of DM Evans, Redcamp. These sold for $830, and where kept in the EU system.
Most of the Hereford heifers offered were not as heavy as the other breeds, most weighing up to 320 kilograms liveweight. Prices ranged from $705-$845. Backgrounders buying for future grain feeding operated freely over most of the lighter heifers.