There was 2300 head yarded on Thursday for the regular store cattle sale at Wodonga, and most were in forward store condition reflecting better seasonal conditions in the north-east of Victoria and eastern Riverina than in other parts along the border.
But a lift in prices of between 30 and 50 cents per kilogram depending on condition and type caught agents and buyers by surprise but put a smile on vendors faces.
Paull and Scollard, Wodonga director Steve Paull said the lift in values was welcome after the hammering store cattle have taken during the past month; and commission buyer, Duncan Brown said the market was “outstanding”, perhaps reflecting recent falls of rain but also with producers having sold finished cattle they needed to buy back in to maintain their operations.
“The sale was certainly up on previous sales, with the prices better than feedlots,” he said.
“There would also be the influence of recent rain and farmers who are trading cattle have sold bullocks and buying today with good margins.”
Steers sold from $930 to $1455, while lighter weights sold from $670 to $860.
Unjoined heifers sold from $900 to $1315, PTIC cows sold to $1420 while cows with calves sold from $2210 to $1670.
John and Penny Macleod, “Wallangra Park”, Jingellic sold 40 Hereford steers, 424 kilograms for $1365, while D McFarland, Henty received $1400 for his pen of ten Hereford steers weighing 453kg.
"We usually sell into feedlots, but their current rate is not competitive with the store pens,” Mr Macleod said.
The Bethune family, Mitta Mitta, Victoria, sold nine black baldy steers weighing 395kg for $1225, while K.L and P. M Proctor, “Trenton North”, Bungowannah sold nine Charolais steers weighing 393kg for $1265.
In the heifer pens, L.C Adams Nominees, “Burrakool”, Wakool sold 19 Angus weighing 370 kg for $1170, with 20 Charolais heifers account J. M and C. J Singe, “Topside”, Tallangatta, Vic weighing 321kg making $1000.
Kieran Hosie, "South Bullenbong" The Rock with stock manager Ralph Sonneman sold 22 Angus heifers weighing 340kg for $1010.
Mr Hosie said their results were about $100 per head greater than he was expecting. D. S and C. G Varker, Chiltern, Vic sold 10 Angus cows with calves for $2210, while K. M and est. V.T Kelly, James Creek, Vic, received $1610 for four Hereford cows with calves, Beggan Hill-blood.
Buyers came from Mansfield, Leongatha, the western Districts, Mt Gambier, Finley, West Wyalong and local areas.
The sale was conducted by Wodonga agents BUR, Peter Ruaro Rodwells, Paull and Scollard and Schubert Boers.