A small yarding of only 586 head met firm demand at Leongatha on the first day of February.
A field of local restockers, and central Gippsland agents and producers, competed on a fair quality yarding consisting of predominantly Angus cross, Euro cross and Friesian and Friesian cross cattle.
The few better pens of older steers offered, went to local and district bullock fatteners who had recently sold prime bullocks.
I&D Ricardi, Dumbalk North, sold 14 Angus steers for the markets top price of $1310. Many steers sold between $900 and $1265 with secondary and dairy types upward from $450.
Burrabadoo, Tarwin, sold 40 Angus and Angus cross steers from $900-$1265, mostly from $1060 and over. Also at the top end were Toora Wind Farm with 34 Angus cross steers from $1060-$1265.
Suitably weighted European cross cattle were purchased by local and regional restockers at recent rates to grain feed.
N Smith, Pound Creek, sold 8 Limousin steers for $1080, and 5 Charolais steers for $980.
All the female cattle (116 head) stayed locally and sold at firm rates. F&H Colaciello, Tyers, sold 25 Angus heifers from $840-$970.
My roving reporter assisting with the Leongatha market report, Simon Henderson, indicated that this Leongatha sale was a typical offering of better bred British breeds and their crosses, through to a mixture of dairy and dairy crosses.
Recent, large annual calf and store cattle sales, have taken most of the focus off South Gippsland. This regular store cattle sale indicates firstly, that earlier January throughput, and secondly the level of grass still available around the district.
At the start of 2018, annual calf sales were buoyant, but demand has eased over the remaining weeks of January, and early February.
This is another reason as to why this regular Thursday sale was so small. At any given time, a mixed quality offering like this can lead to weaker competition. The size of the yarding can be a detraction of demand too.
South and West Gippsland still have plenty of good quality cattle to offer and the timing of an autumn break will determine supply.