Twenty millimetres of overnight rain helped steady demand at the monthly Ballarat store cattle sale on Friday, March 18.
Prices, although considerably easier than the centre’s month-early annual sale, averaged slightly under the 300 cents a kilogram liveweight mark for grown steers while steer weaners are mostly sold in the 320 to 345c/kg price bracket.
The much easier sale, which varied in places from $50-$150 a head easier, appeared second-rate against the exceptionally strong February demand excited by a top-up live-ex order which kicked some sales to an extreme. In this sale, prices reflected the general market and with the season in these parts badly in need of an early break, competition was more reserved. Lot feeders also displayed caution.
The grown steer market began with a number of yards sold in the $1500-$1530 a head price range. These sales included B&M Maher’s seven Angus steers, 554kg, that sold at $1500; CM Candeloro’s, Bacchus Marsh, 10 Angus steers, 522kg, that made $1500 and NP Cunnington’s 14 Angus steers, 496kg, that sold at the market top of $1530.
Steers offered in the feeder range, 380-450kg, were not hotly pursed with grass-finishers from Mt Gambier and Naracoorte, South Australia, Hay, NSW, Horsham and Gippsland taking a position along with Kyneton processor Hardwick, which accumulated almost 300 head.
TB White & Sons principal and auctioneer Leo White said while prices were definitely easier, the quality of the yarding was not to be compared with the month-earlier sale.
“Our country and cattle have all suffered from the heat and dry experienced during the past month,” Mr White said. “And, taking this into account this sale, although cheaper, has been very solid.”
Among the better sales was Nebpak Enterprises’ 22 Angus steers, 448kg, that made $1480 while Alpha Pastoral cleared 20 Angus steers, 402kg, at $1335. L&M Missen sold 17 Angus steers 374kg at $1280 while GA Crick & Sons sold 25 Angus 338kg at $1130. The best priced Hereford steers, 404kg, were sold by MG&JA Brennan. These made $1220 while Pine Avenue sold Charolais steers, 401kg, at $1250.
An increased number of spring-drop weaners were also cleared. Carngham Station sold 25 Angus at $860 while SD Elliott sold Angus steers at $890.
The heifer market drew broader inquiry from processors, with some sales out-pricing their steer brothers. And, along with solid feeder demand prices were firmer, as heifer rates edged higher to average 300-320c.
Interest expressed in joined and calved females was limited, with best lots sold from $1200- $1600.
