DESPITE a small offering of just 928 cattle at Yea, competition was great with buyers of feeder steers and heifers, producers and agents coming from the north east, Gippsland, the Western District and local districts.
It was a very large crowd that attended, with many just at this sale for a look, and there was plenty to see.
With the exception of one big bullock, prices for steers ranged mostly between $1100 & $ 1600, for a range of breeds, although Angus cattle dominated the sale.
Yearling Angus steers, offered by C&M DeGroot, Narbethong, sold from $1490-$1600. This was their annual draft of steers, sired by Yancowinna bulls, and they were in good condition.
While prices remained between $1340 & $1520, the weight of the steers receded to 300 kilograms liveweight. This saw most of the steers sell over the equivalent of 400 cents per kilograms liveweight, and many over 440c/kg.
KP Ryan, Darraweit, sold 13 Angus steers for $1520, M&W Spencer, 13 for $1400m and P Drysdale, Killingworth, 9 Angus cross steers for $1390.
It was difficult to understand how strong this sale was without being there. But to describe it as best as possible was in the figures. D Uys, Alexandra sold 46 Angus steers from $1290-$1400, and these were at best 9-11 months of age.
GT&AM Pearce sold 33 Angus steers from $920-$1420. all estimated to be well over 400c/kg lwt. While the weights of cattle at Yea are only estimates, the saleyard association will commence constructing scales as part of their expansion. This expansion is going to tender now, and construction is expected to commence very soon.
G&E Fern, “Deuba”, Highlands, sold 43 younger Angus steers from $1220-$1310, which was judged by many to equal 485-508c/kg lwt.
Competition was strong on all breeds of steers, R&K Elliott, Thornton, sold 24 Charolais/Hereford-Red Angus steers from $950-$1150. Entoy Pty Ltd, Yea, sold 11 Murray Grey steers for $1400, or 437c/kg lwt.
Steers were not the only cattle to sell to very strong demand, as female cattle, did too. Only 5 cows and calves were offered, making from $1400-$1680, and where good solid sales.
C&L Conway, Lancefield, offered 12 Banquet & Anvil blood Angus heifers, 2.5 years, PTIC to Lawson’s Angus bulls for spring calving. Competition started at a low level for these, but finished strongly to make $1880.
Very strong demand for heifers saw 26 yearling Angus heifers, 12-14 months, from “Springbank” sell from $1470-$1490.
KP Ryan sold 12 Angus heifers 9-11mths, for $1350, and most heifers sold for over $1000. This was excellent as many were younger calves and of lighter weight.
G&E Fern sold 40 Angus heifers from $920-$1240, and AO McKinnon, “The Grange”, Balmuttum, 38 Angus heifers from $900-$1190.
These lines of heifers, and many others were estimated to sell from 370-425c/kg liveweight.
“Coolongolook” sold 24 Charolais cross heifers from $1200-$1360.
