South Gippsland is the land of milk and honey, or at least plenty of grass. This saw many of the larger yarding of 2170 head present in very good condition, which was appreciated by the many who purchased.
Most of the competition was local, although a small number of steers and heifers were purchased for grain feeding.
Quality helped, but so did the good breeding of the cattle, and again, most of the cattle came from South Gippsland, some from the central districts, and one consignment came from Nimmitabel, and one from Healesville.
All of the talk was around how good these season is, and how quickly pastures could dry off. However, looking around paddocks in the area, some very heavy crops of silage are cut, and ready to bale.
Some interesting trends emerged throughout the sale with heavier yearling steers, and Friesians, selling to dearer trends.
Hengstberger & Lloyd, Dumbalk North, offered the heaviest pen, selling 14 Hereford steers, 501 kilograms liveweight, for $1530, or 305c/kg.
A good example of how prices trended was a pen of 15 Angus steers, 432kgs, offered by A Bowtell, that sold for $1440, or 333c/kg lwt.
This weight range was up to $100, or 20c/kg lwt dearer.
Gary Anthony, L&G Anthony, “Ponderosa”, Meeniyan, said it was time to lighten off, and Gary offered 50 Hereford & Angus-Hereford steers, 388-423kgs, which sold from $1330-$1390.
A very good selection of steers, ranging from 285-390kgs, gave potential buyers a great choice, and prices were mostly unchanged from two weeks ago.
The annual draft of 400 Angus, and Angus-Hereford steer weaners, of AG Landy Pty Ltd, “Bellpoint”, Walkerville, sold from $900-$1280, or 305-348c/kg lwt.
G&S Couper, Mardan, sold 20 Angus-Hereford steers, 350kgs, for $1230. Nalajule P/L, Mardan, sold a great line of 95 Angus steers, Leawood blood, 11-14 months, from $1040-$1280, which was up to 356c/kg.
Of the steers displaying their weight, Greg Steer, Glengarry West, sold 28 Gelbvieh-Red Angus steers from $980-$1060, or 366c/kg lwt.
Friesian steers and bullocks varied greatly in age and weight, selling mostly from $350-$1090, which was $30-$100 better.
Heifers sold to similar trends as the steers, some being unchanged, other $40-$80 dearer.
However, weight did determine some outcomes with R&C Donat selling yearling heifers, 453kgs, for $1220.
Pick of the sale was 42 Angus heifers offered by J&K Hilliar, “Riverview”, Mirboo. These heifers, 300-326kgs, sold from $1030-$1140.
AG Landy P/L, Walkerville, sold 88 Angus heifers from $830-$1060, or 302-342c/kg lwt. R&Y Densley, Mirboo, sold 45 lighter Angus heifers from $870-$910.
SR&MK Greaves, Nerrena, topped the sale of cows and calves, selling 16 Angus from $1820-$2175.
Most of the cows and calves were in plainer condition, with most selling between $1500 7 $1900.
