AN EXTRA week of no significant rain pushed producers to off-load cattle at Wodonga store market last Thursday.
Their risk was rewarded with rates a fraction dearer on the previous market, especially for steers in the 280-399 kilogram bracket.
The larger than expected yarding of 2400 head – 1200 more than advertised – held up to average 181 cents/kg for steers weighing 280-399kg or $589 a head, trading eight basis points above the day’s EYCI.
Northern orders were the saving grace, with local commission buyers pursuing numbers to truck into the wetter areas, buoyed by a solid presence from two South Australian buyers.
“We’re just lucky the northern operators have a bit of feed and are coming to the sales and buying cattle.”
The sale opened on cows and calves and achieved its top rate on a sole Hereford cow and calf at $945, while the Reid Partnership of Tallangatta Valley sold 10 Angus cows and heifers to $930, average $915 and CK and KM Findlay, off-loaded a line of 59 Angus heifers and cows to $890, average $802.50.
Joined cows sold up to $800 for Phillip Evans of Cudgewa’s nine Angus heifers.
Commission buyer James Brown, Albury, picked up the first six pens of steers offered, paying from $700-$770 for 60 grown steers, 419-513kg.
These purchases included the top-priced steer pen – a $770 result for 12 Angus sold by Greenhill and Co, Corryong, or 160c/kg.
RA and MH Trethowan, Cookardinia, NSW, came close with six Hereford at $760 or 148c/kg.
JT, TA and R Moyle, Tallangatta, received 180c/kg or $632 for 26 12 month-old Angus, while the Star Brothers, Wonga, Jerilderie, sold a line of 56 Angus and Murary Grey to a top of $615 or 180c/kg, average $570.
The sale of Cascade Pastoral Company’s, Tallangatta Valley, 30 Angus weaners, Te Mania and Ardrossan blood, drew a tight crowd and hit the 200c/kg marker; their 12 seconds made $540 or 196c/kg.
Robert Reid of the Reid Family Trust, Chudleigh, Howlong, was a major vendor, off-loading 160 Hereford, Ironbark blood to $574 or 177c/kg, average $499.
Despite usually selling steers through the feedlot, Mr Reid said it was the second year running they had come into a store market, however, this year the average was well down on last year’s result.
Sam O’Connor, O’Connor and Graney, Mt Gambier, made the long drive worthwhile, picking up 26 joined cows from $480-$710, and about 140 steers from $480-$570.
Heifers topped at $640 for 10 Hereford, sold by BJ and MJT McNamara, Cudgewa, Yavenvale blood, or 165c/kg.
Corryong Essential Oils, Corryong, sold black baldy to $590 and Angus to $600, with seconds at $582, while Mr Reid’s heifers reached $358 and averaged $329.
