It was cold and wet at Wodonga last week, but producers certainly appreciated it.
Despite recent price changes at physical sales, there was obvious, more confidence. Yes, it was cheaper in places, but it was firm for a number of steers and heifers, and dearer for cows and calves.
Recommencing the start time to 10:30am, saw a full gallery of buyers, at least agents and producers. Some of the regular commission buyers were away at another sale.
Producers in the north east were keen for breeding females, creating some strong results. Richmond and Fowler, Lankey’s Creek, sold 17 Limousin cows with CAF, 2-3 months, and pregnancy tested back in calf.
These were purchased for a Gippsland producer, making from $2150-$2525. Paulet & Horsfield, Tallangatta Valley, sold nine Angus cows with young calves for $1820, and most others made from $1525-$1940, a good results for their quality.
Three vendors sold Angus & crossbred cows, PTIC to calve from October 1, from $1170-$1860.
Feedlot operators have bought back their entry prices into feedlots, and this was reflected in the prices of yearling steers.
Prices ranged between $1220&$1600. DA&PA Parker, Mitta Mitta, sold a pen of 21 high quality Hereford steers for $1600, and a pen for $1390.
Herefords featured well in this yarding of 1700 head.
G&M McRostie, Jamieson, sold 12 Herefords for $1430, MtSkene, Merrijig, 12 Hereford steers from $1320-$1380, and JF&CC McKenzie, Springhurst, 47 Hereford steers from $1255-$1445.
Some pressure came to bear on younger steers. FC&PW McFarland, Bethunga, sold 40 Angus steers from $1200-$1335.
As their weights lessened, demand increased, seeing prices of weeks ago returning. RJ Vinge, “Wahroonga”, Berringama, sold 84 Angus from $1020-$1180, and equaled 351-387 cents per kilogram liveweight.
Progressing onto quality bred Angus steers under 270kgs, saw competition improve even more. Roseville, Walla Walla, sold 22 steers for $1050 or 393c, and SM&MH Teschner, Huon Creek, 15 steers for $1025, or 420c/kg lwt.
This trend followed through each agents sale.
Competition for heifers varied greatly, lacking the intensity for yearling heifers.
M&S Trewin, Barcoo Ridge, Bungil, sold a top quality pen of Hereford heifers (477kgs) for $1330.
There were not a lot of heifers that sold over $1000, but their weights soon dropped away. M Flannagan, Jindabyne, sold 10 Angus heifers for $1050, and Bonegilla Park, 11 Charolais heifers for $1090.
A couple of other single pens of Angus heifers made from $1070-$1120, and yearling heifers equaled mostly 310-325c/kg lwt.
Most heifers sold between $795&$980. Southpark, Barooga, sold 12 Angus heifers for $975, Jones&McRae, Gerogery, 15 Charolais cross heifers from $920-$980, and RJ Vinge, Berringama, 51 Angus heifers from $850-$940.
