SOUTHERN Australian Livestock auctioneer Laryn Gogel said the quality of the calves on offer at Naracoorte last week was exceptional.
“I thought it was a very good sale right the way through, and it was a bit different to the sale held pre-Christmas,” he said.
“At last week’s sale feed-lotters were the major influence. Prices usually come back a bit when the numbers come on board, but they held up at the sale due to feed-lotters like Thomas Foods International and Princess Royal.” LS Johnson & Son, Conmurra, sold 22 Angus steers, European Union and Pasturefed Cattle Assurance System-accredited, for $1405 or $3.87 a kilogram and a further 26 Angus, 345kg,t $1395 or $4.04/kg. The same vendor also sold 18 Simmental/Hereford steers from their Ross Plains property, 378kg, for $1420 or $3.75/kg, as well as a further 18 steers, 358kg, for $1390 or $3.88/kg, 26 steers, 344kg, at $1365 or $3.96/kg, 25 steers, 326kg, at $1300 or $3.98/kg, 25 steers, 344kg, at $1315 or $3.82/kg and 19 steers, 384kg, at $1450 or $3.77/kg.
A further 27 Simmental/Herefords from the Ross Plains property, 318kg, made $1315 or $4.13/kg and another 23 steers, 300kg, made $1235 or $4.11/kg.
While there had been two weaner sales planned for Naracoorte on January 19 and 20, the steer and heifer sales will be combined on Thursday, January 19, due to dwindling numbers. A female sale will be held at Naracoorte on February 3.