YEA
Yarding: 1874
Steers: 1129
Heifers: 556
Cows and calves: 189
BACKGROUNDERS and grass finishers had the best of the day at the Yea October store sale, beating off competition from feedlotters, according to agents.
Landmark’s Chris Pollard said steers and heifers were up to $100 dearer than the previous sale.
“A week, or a fortnight, is a long time in the livestock industry, you wouldn’t have believed, a fortnight ago, it would have been so strong,” Mr Pollard said.
He said recent rain had driven the market higher, with steers selling for between 300-400 cents/kilogram.
“At the end of the day, it can be the only reason, nothing else has happened,” he said.
Rodwells’ Yea branch manager Adam Mountjoy said the yarding, and sale, was above expectations.
“We had a terrific yarding, there was a bit of a change in the season and the cattle were starting to have a bit of polish and a bit of finish,” Mr Mountjoy said.
“There was a return to strength for the heavier steers, they were making money we haven’t seen since the depth of winter.”
Paul Bongornio, Wattle Park North, cleared 11 Ashwood Park blood September-October 2016 drop steers for $1399 to Garrison.
“I think the rain, over the last couple of days, has given buyers a bit more confidence to bid,” Mr Bongiorno said.
Nick and Anne Snow, Hazelglen Partnership, Doreen, offered 16 Angus steers, March-April, 2016 drop, Anvil and Ayrvale blood, recieving $1460.
They also offered seven Charolais cross steers, which were knocked down to grass finisher, Dennis Henderson for $1440.
Mr Henderson also bought seven 12-14 month old Angus steers from Zullaphella, for $1330.
Other good prices were achieved by GT and AM Pearce, Argyle, Glenaroua, who sold a pen of 14 August-September drop Pert Angus and Merridale blood steers for $1370 and another pen of 20 for $1320.
William Cody, St Fillan, Narbethong, sold 15 Red Angus steers, 14-15 months, Hicks Red Angus blood, for $1000 or about 270c/kg.
“Now is about the right time to sell – we had a lot of rain and it would have been nice to get that sunshine a bit earlier,” Mr Cody said.
Adrian and Laraine Rowe paid $1080 for 18 of the 14 month old Chavel blood TB Trading Hereford heifers. Of the cow and calf units, Lynn and Pam Vearing, Hendon Park, Beveridge, topped the sale with $2160, for 10 Poll Herefords, with April-May drop calves at foot.
Other cow and calf units included 10x10 Farley Family Trust, Heathcote, Merridale blood Angus cows, with Hazeldene calves at foot, up to four months, depastured to an Angus bull, for $1980.
They were sold to Charles Stewart-Dove, Colac.
