Steer weaners averaged a staggering 331 cents per kilogram liveweight for a high quality yarding of Angus cattle that went under the hammer at the Elders and Landmark Angus Steer Weaner sale at Hamilton on Tuesday.
It was the second day of the annual Western District Weaner sales and featured a yarding of 2025 head.
On the back of recent sales at Hamilton and Casterton (earlier in the day), expectations were high for a strong result.
Rain in the north, with more forecast, and a good spread of buyers from other areas ensured keen competition.
The majority of the yarding sold at rates between 315 and 348c/kg with the lighter types making between 335 and 349c/kg while the heavier end sold mainly between 319 and 334c/kg.
Competition was evident from a number of northern and central parts of New South Wales, Queensland as well as Gippsland and local buyers.
Export orders were also filled through Landmark International.
Agents reported that the yarding averaged $1133 per head, compared with an average price of around $700 and 225c/kg for the corresponding sale in 2015.
Landmark’s Darron Dawson said vendors were “very happy” with the sale results which were a recognition from buyers of the quality of cattle from the Western District.
He said it had not been an easy season in the area and groundwater was an issue in some areas.
Elders auctioneer Aaron Malseed said there were “smiling faces” from vendors.
He said the spread of buyers across the sale had helped provide competition across the yarding.
Weights for the yarding were in general above the previous year with vendors reporting that the cold but dry winter had not not hindered the presentation of the cattle.
The sale top of 349c/kg was achieved by a line sold account Roanoke comprising 16 steers weighing an average of 263kg and bought by Glynne Ag for a Roma, Queensland, account.
Key lines in this annual fixture included a draft from M. D. Robertson, Nangana, Grassdale, with the heavier draft selling in a pen of 39 weighing an average of 390kg and going for 320c/kg or $1248. These cattle were purchased by Terry Ginnane, Landmark Leongatha.
A second pen of 61 Nangana steers weighing an average of 352kg sold for 334c/kg or $1175.68 bought by Hopkins River Pastoral Co.
A third draft of 30 Nangana steers weighing an average of 309kg, sold for 343c/kg or $1059.87 going to account from Roma, Queensland.
A line of Te Mania blood steers sold account A. C. Archibald, Bundoran, Glenthompson, saw 90 steers weighing an average of 359kg, sell for 325c/kg to Landmark, Molong, NSW.
Thirty Bassano blood Angus steers averaging 411kg sold account Mibus Brothers, Sandy Camp, Mount Richmond, went for 322c/kg or $1323.42 to Elders Melbourne account.
The 25 Sandy Camp Angus/Hereford cross steers weighing an average 398kg sold for 327c/kg or $1301.46 to Landmark, Leongatha.
K. & J. Wyatt, Wrights Swamp, sold 36 steers, 378kg for 322c/kg or $1217.16 and a second line of the Banquet and Pathfinder blood lighter steers at 341c/kg or $1138.94. The first line went to Leongatha and the second to Molong.
TFI was a selective bidder paying between 310c/kg and 324c/kg for heavier types.
Bligh Pastoral Co’s Barwidgee blood drop of steers weighing 370kg sold for 328c/kg or $1213.60 to Landmark, Molong.
Major buyers on the day came from Leongatha, Molong, NSW, Warialda, NSW, Glen Innes, NSW, Queanbeyan, NSW, Dunkeld, and Roma, Queensland.