Wodonga
Yarding: 3887
Steers to $1305
Heifers to $1190
CONTINUING dry conditions across the north-east and NSW created a larger than advertised yarding at Wodonga last Thursday.
Consignments were noted from as far north as Goulburn NSW, and south from Wallan and Kilmore.
This saw 3887 head penned plus 70 calves on a good line of cows. The quality was quite good, especially considering the lack of grass.
Many consignments were trucked to the sale due to the lack of feed, but more importantly the lack of water. A lot of cattle were sold earlier than normal because of this.
Some of the regular buyers were either at Cooma or in Tasmania for other sales, however, competition was very good, which resulted in a very good sale.
It was pleasing to see most of the joined females and cows with calves, return to the paddock rather than going for slaughter.
There were two lines of female cattle that were sold as dispersals with properties being sold, and these sold to strong producer competition. WH&JM Wells, Bambara, Boho South, sold 12 Hereford cows and calves, plus 12 joined heifers with the dominant Mawarra and Bamabra Hunter bloodlines. The cows and calves sold from $1760-$1880, and the heifers for $1300, which were good sales considering the weakening price for fat cows.
Top of the cows and calves was 18 Angus heifers 2-3 years with calves at-foot to five months. Sold on behalf of Mundoora Farming, Coleambally, these made $2200.
The main dispersal was from Newlands Pastoral Co, Condobolin, who sold 170 Angus cows PTIC to their third calf, to Rennylea and Eulonga Angus bulls, to commence calving in May. Selling between $1260 and $1620, this was 30-70 cents per kilogram liveweight above their fat value, and all went back to the paddock.
Commencing the steer section, Elders offered 221 Angus steers on behalf of Alan Scott, Tocumwal, NSW.
These Angus steers by Table Top Angus bulls would normally be backgrounded for future sale to feedlots. However, Mr Scott said he was running out of water and feed, and he hasn’t sold steers in the market for over 20 years.
Selling these steers from his Yantara and Avendrina properties, which have 35 kilometres of Murray River frontage, they sold to a top of $1230 from a base of $885 to average $1087 per head.
Most, if not all of the steers were purchased for grain feeding, or future feeding. The liveweight price of these steers equalled a range from 318-331c/kg liveweight.
The top price for steers was $1305, which was paid for 20 Angus steers, 312kg, from LV Corrigan, Glenruben Angus, Woomargama.
Brewer Pastoral Co, Burradoo, Koetong, was one producer selling their cattle early. They sold 85 Black Simmental steers from $720-$1075, to average $972. The liveweight range was 315-336c/kg, and these figures covered a large percentage of the steer yarding.
Corcoran Parker offered 146 young Hereford steers, 7-8 months, from Forest Lodge, Goulburn NSW.
Selling to very strong demand these lightweight steers sold from $645-$800, or 335-388c/kg lwt.
With the exception of a few yearling heifers, which sold from $875-$1190, or 244-265c/kg, competition was strong for the mostly younger offering. Numerous feedlot buyers operated in the sale of heifers.
Summerlea, Upotipotpon, sold 33 Charolais-Angus & Hereford heifers from $760-$1010.
Fairfield Park Pastoral, Greta South, sold 92 Angus heifers from $635-$945, and Brewer Past, Burradoo, Koetong, 86 Black Simmental heifers from $90-$935.
One of the largest consignment of heifers came from Tarabah Livestock, Tarabah Station, Morundah, who sold 156 Hereford heifers from $370-$570, or 285-305c/kg lwt.
This liveweight range was similar to most other heifers sold with strong feedlot competition for the heavier weights, and backgrounders buying many of the balance.
