AS THE EXTREME HEAT affects the north east, producers are selling their stock while prices are good. The yarding of 3905 head at Barnawartha, included some large to very large consignments from some of the parched districts around north and north east of the Barnawartha yards.
Recent predictions of long dry spells, a drop in the EYCI, and now the potential for an El Nino, may have started to squeeze demand.
The sheer number of cattle, the very hot and humid conditions, and the above mentioned possibilities did have some effect, but this sale can still be quoted as very good with some excellent results at times.
More affected by demand were the yearling steers of heavier weights, which sold to $1585. PJ&SL Wallis, Gundowring, sold 20 Charolais cross steers, 501 kilograms liveweight, for the top price with most selling upward of $1350. Lighter weight yearlings $1150 to $1450.
Featuring in this sale were several drafts of very well bred steers, and these attracted solid competition. Locke-Scott Partnership, Yantara, Tocumwal, sold 104 Angus steers, from $1275-$1380, and Alan Scott, Yantara, Tocumwal, offered 98 Angus steers, selling from $1175-$1395.
Both of these drafts of steers epitomised the strength of the sale with their liveweight price equivalents ranging from 360-387c/kg. Many of the 2016 drop steers sold within this range.
Brooklyn Pastoral Co, Mansfield, sold their annual draft of Hereford steers, selling 110 head from $1075-$1390, or 360-378c/kg, another very good result.
Lighter weight steers,and heifers sold exceptionally well, as there is a scarcity of well bred young cattle. Two lines of steers stood out, those being Tarabah Livestock, Tarabah Station, Morundah, and Brewer Black Simmentals, Koetong.
Tarabah sold 603 EU accredited Hereford steers from $730-$1100, most over 400c/kg lwt, and many kept in the EU system. Brewers Simmental, sold 163 steers from $1005-$1305, equaling up to 462c/kg.
Yearling heifers sold from $1020-$1410, and most of the younger heifers made between $835&$1250 with R Cavanagh selling their top pen for $1365. The Tarabah heifers sold from $380-$710, and the Brewer’s heifers $835-$1035.
Cows and calves sold very well. L&H Crystal, Yackanadah, sold 25 Angus cows, 5-7 years with older CAF from $2460-$2510. Top of this sale was J Kohne, Numurka, selling Speckle Park-Droughtmaster cows with quality Speckle Park CAF for $2580, after very strong competition.
Joined females sold mostly from $1200-$2000 with DJC Past Co, Walwa, selling 29 The Glen Angus cows, PTIC to calve from April, achieving the top price.