QUALITY dropped off at the Leongatha store sale last week, as farmers dipped into diminishing feed supplies and prices for light condition and crossbred cattle sold $15-$20 cheaper.
Michael Stevens, SEJ Leongatha, said most farmers were now placing their third drafts of cattle onto the market, since the beginning of the year.
“We had a run of calves here today from Woodside and they are the second or third draft they’ve had since January,” Mr Stevens said.
“It’s just desperate down there. They are in dire straights and the cattle had to be sold, because there is just no feed.”
The condition of cattle is not as good as it was a fortnight ago, he said, and unless the region gets good rains in the next fortnight, he could predict prices falling again.
“Hopefully we’ll get an inch or two inches of rain soon and that will save us all, with a bit of luck.”
Across the yarding of 1385 head, Mr Stevens said the smaller lightweight weaned steers made an estimated 170-190 cents a kilogram, with the exception of some very small weaned calves which sold up to 200c/kg.
He quoted heavy steers at 155-170c/kg.
Volume vendor, Frank Boulton, Sale, topped the steer market with his line of 60 Angus and Hereford-Frisians, sold to $804, while his heifer drafts sold to $502.
John and Mary Lafferty, Yinnar, sold a quality run of 44 Angus-Hereford steers which made from $690-$775 or 152-160c/kg.
*Extract from market report to appear in Stock & Land, April 30.
