SIX weeks ago Wodonga agents were quoting a quieter start to 2016 as many cattle had been sold early due to the poor season.
However, the first sale of the second week, which was an all breeds sale, opened to continuing strong competition for a market that exceeded the number advertised.
The independent agents offered 3953 head, which came from quite a broad area, and varied in age and quality.
The main focus again came from northern buyers, although the larger purchases were for feeder steers and heifers, especially for feedlots in central NSW. Cattle were purchased to enter Queensland, but fewer than the previous week.
Difficulties arise making comparisons to the Angus sales held at Wodonga in the first week, as the clientele is different. There was another very large crowd of people, and they witnessed another strong market, where the quality of the cattle was not as good.
This was still a very good sale, but the change in quality, and a softening of demand late the previous week and this week, did ease prices marginally.
Yearling steers encompassed a range of breeds, weight and condition, which saw a range in price between $1050&$1600. CM&J Merkel, Talgarno, sold 22 Angus steers, 0-2 teeth, from $1440-$1600, or 316-318 cents per kilogram liveweight.
JC&KA Cardwell, Gundowering, sold 35 Hereford steers, 18-21 months, from $1440-$1550, or 316-317c/kg. As weights decreased, liveweight price equivalents increased. Boralma Lodge, Boralma, sold 46 Hereford & Hereford-Angus steers from $1265-$1400, 315-331c/kg lwt. Most of these steers went for grain feeding with Teys, Jinderlee feedlot being the main recipient.
Moving onto the 2015 drop steers created more competition, and to explain the day’s trends best, liveweight prices were mostly between 316&368c/kg lwt. Weights were displayed on most pens of steers, but sold open auction.
J&G MacDougall Family Trust, Dunollie Park, Tooma, sold 133 Hereford steers from $950-$1300 to average $1165, the livewieght price range was 338-359c/kg. Deloraine Rural P/L, Beveridge, sold 126 Poll Hereford steers, the first pen judged the best presented Herefords. These steers sold from $1000-$1230,av $1107, or 343-368c/kg lwt.
BM&BM Campbell, Hilltop, Koetong, sold 70 Hereford-Angus & 23 Charolais-Angus steers from $1040-$1225, or 332-355c/kg lwt.
Because of the diversity of the quality and weight, a good number of steers sold from $690-$850, and pound for pound, equalled the liveweight prices of other steers with a few young steers selling at an estimated 400c/kg and over.
Glencoe Past Co, Holbrook, sold 80 Composite steers from $960-$1170, 321-350c/kg, which was $350-$400 higher than their 2015 sales.
Feedlot competition for the yearling heifers was very strong with only one or two pens returning to the paddock. CM&J Merkel sold 25 Angus heifers for $1200 with ost yearling making $850-$1140.
The 2015 drop heifers varied in quality with numerous vendors not able, or choosing not to wean their cattle. Some were purchased for slaughter but most went to feeders or returned to pasture.
RM&SJ Trigg, Barlings, Tumbarumba, sold 57 Hereford heifers from $1040-$1060, or 311-315c/kg lwt. This liveweight figure would be close to the sale’s average price with a variance of 270-334c/kg paid at this sale.
Prichard Nominees, Tallangatta, sold 126 EU accredited Angus-Hereford heifers from $875-$1050, with none staying in the system.
BM&BM Campbell sold 32 Charolais cross heifers from $940-$1060, and RG Erskine, 9 charolais heifers for $1050. Glencoe Past Co sold 79 Composite heifers from $750-$1015.
All prices considered, this sale would average 10-15c liveweight lower at about 342c, and the heifers 20c/kg below last week at close to 310c/kg lwt.
